Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or greasy.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.

A safe synthetic thickener that improves product texture and stability without common irritation concerns.

A gentle silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, with very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable formulas without heavy or greasy feel.

A mild, sugar-derived conditioner that detangles and softens hair without the heavy feel of silicones.

A gentle, biodegradable surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin and the environment.

Lauryl Myristate is a reliable emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, but it may clog pores for acne-prone individuals.

Lauryl Oleate is a gentle emollient that softens skin but may be moderately pore-clogging for acne-prone individuals.

A mild, olive-derived cleansing agent that cleans without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A synthetic preservative booster that helps keep products fresh but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Lauryl Palmitate is a gentle emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, with low irritation and comedogenic risk.

Lauryl PCA is a mild, skin-friendly surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, spreadable formulas without heavy residue.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

A silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly, resist water, and last longer, but may feel heavy on oily skin.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, spreadable formulas without a greasy feel.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and stability, generally safe for most skin types.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, spreadable formulas without a greasy feel.

A gentle silicone that smooths skin and improves product feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle silicone that smooths skin and hair without a heavy or greasy feel, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

An effective cleansing agent that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that creates smooth, spreadable textures without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that creates stable, lightweight textures without stripping the skin.

Lauryl Pyrrolidone is a synthetic ingredient that helps other actives absorb better while smoothing the skin, but its penetration-enhancing effect means it should be used with care in formulations.

A silicone crosspolymer that helps products spread smoothly, feel silky, and stay put without clogging pores.

Lauryl Stearate is a gentle emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that creates a rich lather and is well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle silicone that makes skin feel smooth and helps products glide on without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A mild, effective emulsifier that helps create stable, silky formulas without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, fat-soluble vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals without the sting of pure ascorbic acid.

An effective cleansing and antistatic agent, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types, especially at higher concentrations.

An effective preservative for rinse-off products, but can be irritating to sensitive skin or eyes at higher concentrations.

An effective antistatic and conditioning agent, but can be irritating for sensitive scalps or skin at higher concentrations.

An effective preservative but may cause irritation in sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

Lava extract is a mineral-rich ingredient that may help absorb excess oil and provide trace minerals, but research on its skincare benefits is limited.

Lava powder is a natural mineral powder that helps absorb excess oil and gently exfoliate skin, but it can be abrasive for sensitive skin.

Lavandin Abrial Herb Oil adds a pleasant lavender-like scent to products, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin due to its essential oil content.

Lavandin extract can offer mild soothing benefits and a pleasant scent, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin due to its natural fragrance compounds.

A fragrant botanical extract with mild soothing and antimicrobial benefits, but may irritate sensitive skin due to its essential oil content.

Lavandin Grosso Oil adds a fresh, herbal scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its high camphor content.

Lavandin herb extract offers gentle soothing and a pleasant scent, but its benefits are mostly aromatic and calming rather than transformative.

Lavandin oil adds a pleasant lavender-like scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its high camphor content.

Lavandulyl acetate adds a gentle lavender-like scent to products and may offer mild skin soothing, but it is primarily a fragrance ingredient with limited direct skincare benefits.

A gentle, lab-grown lavender extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still early.

Lavender Extract adds a pleasant scent and mild antioxidant benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin and is not a proven treatment for skin conditions.

Lavender flower extract adds a pleasant scent and may offer mild soothing effects, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and has limited proven skincare benefits.

Lavender flower powder adds gentle physical exfoliation and a calming scent, but its coarse particles and potential for irritation mean it's best suited for rinse-off products and not for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Lavender flower water is a mild, aromatic hydrosol that can add a pleasant scent and a touch of soothing hydration to skincare, but its benefits are subtle and it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-based wax that adds richness and a smooth feel to balms and creams without clogging pores.

Lavender extract adds a pleasant scent and mild soothing feel to products, but can be irritating for sensitive or reactive skin.

A gentle, aromatic botanical water that adds a subtle lavender scent and a touch of soothing potential to skincare formulas.

Lavender water is a gentle, aromatic hydrosol that can soothe and refresh skin, but its benefits are mostly anecdotal and it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals due to trace essential oil components.

A gentle botanical extract with a pleasant lavender scent, but may irritate sensitive skin due to natural fragrance compounds.

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant support, but its fragrance can be a concern for sensitive noses.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich orchid extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still emerging.

A gentle, lab-grown lavender extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.

A fragrant lavender leaf extract that can soothe skin and fight free radicals, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals due to its natural essential oil content.