Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 60 of 20,303
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Fragrance

Lemongrass Flower Water

Cymbopogon Citratus Flower Water

3.8

A gentle, lightly fragrant hydrosol that can refresh and mildly tone skin, but its benefits are mostly anecdotal and it may cause sensitivity in very reactive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaretoner
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Astringent

Lemongrass Leaf

Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf

3.8

Lemongrass leaf offers a fresh scent and mild astringent feel, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical
Read ingredient review

Exfoliant

Lemongrass Leaf Powder

Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Powder

3.8

A gentle natural exfoliant with a fresh citrus scent, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin due to its essential oil content.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincareexfoliant
Read ingredient review

Fragrance

Lemongrass Leaf Water

Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf Water

3.8

A gentle, naturally fragrant water that offers mild astringent and refreshing benefits, but its primary role in most products is scent and sensory appeal.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical extract
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Astringent

Lemongrass Leaf/Stem Extract

Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf/Stem Extract

3.8

Lemongrass extract adds a fresh scent and mild astringent action, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical
Read ingredient review

Fragrance

Lemongrass Oil

Cymbopogon Flexuosus Herb Oil

3.8

Lemongrass oil adds a fresh citrus scent and mild astringent action, but can be irritating for sensitive skin if used at high concentrations.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance

Lemongrass Water

Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Water

3.8

A gentle, naturally fragrant botanical water that can refresh and lightly tone skin, but its benefits are mild and mostly sensory.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical water
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Lentil Fruit Extract

Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract

3.8

A gentle, plant-based extract that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Humectant

Lentil Seed Extract

Lens Culinaris Seed Extract

4.0

A gentle, plant-based humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, with antioxidant benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarehumectant
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Soothing Agent

Lentil Symbiosome Extract

Lens Esculenta Symbiosome Extract

4.0

A gentle, biotech-derived lentil extract that may help calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier, though human studies are still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincaresoothing agent
Read ingredient review

Soothing Agent

Leonurus Artemisia Powder

Leonurus Artemisia Powder

3.5

A gentle botanical powder with antioxidant potential, but research on its topical benefits is limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical
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Antioxidant

Leopard Plant Extract

Farfugium Japonicum Leaf/Stalk Extract

3.8

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Antioxidant

Lepista Nuda Ferment Filtrate

Lepista Nuda Ferment Filtrate Powder

4.0

A mushroom ferment filtrate that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a healthy-looking complexion, though human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Antioxidant

Leptactina Flower Extract

Leptactina Senegambica Flower Extract

3.8

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical extract
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Soothing Agent

Leptadenia Reticulata Leaf Powder

LEPTADENIA RETICULATA LEAF POWDER

3.8

A gentle botanical powder with traditional use in Ayurveda, offering soothing and antioxidant benefits, but with limited modern cosmetic research.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical
Read ingredient review

Antimicrobial

Leptospermone

Leptospermone

3.8

Leptospermone is a natural compound from tea tree relatives that helps fight acne-causing bacteria while being gentle on skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantimicrobial
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Antioxidant

Lespedeza Callus Extract

Lespedeza Cyrtobotrya Callus Extract

3.8

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, though research is still early.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Antioxidant

Lespedeza Capitata Extract

Lespedeza Capitata Extract

3.8

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical extract
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Antioxidant

Lesser Celandine Extract

RANUNCULUS FICARIA EXTRACT

3.5

A botanical extract with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but limited human research and a known risk of skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical
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Antioxidant

Lethariella Cladonioides Extract

Lethariella Cladonioides Extract

3.8

A gentle lichen-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still emerging.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Antioxidant

Leucas Cephalotes Leaf Extract

LEUCAS CEPHALOTES LEAF EXTRACT

3.5

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that may help calm skin, but scientific research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical
Read ingredient review

Humectant

Leucine

LEUCINE

4.0

Leucine is a gentle amino acid that supports skin hydration and barrier health, making it a safe addition to most routines.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarehumectant
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Antioxidant

Leucosidea Sericea Leaf Extract

Leucosidea Sericea Leaf Extract

3.8

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Humectant

Levan

Levan

4.0

Levan is a gentle, biotech-derived humectant that helps hydrate and soothe skin while forming a lightweight protective film.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincarehumectantfilm-former
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Humectant

Levan Sugar Complex

LEVAN/FRUCTOSE/GLUCOSE/SUCROSE

4.0

A gentle sugar-based blend that hydrates and helps form a protective layer on skin, suitable for most skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarehumectant
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Levistolide A

Levistolide A

3.5

A plant-derived compound with early research suggesting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, but not yet widely studied in cosmetic formulations.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Exfoliant

Levulinic Acid

Levulinic Acid

4.0

A mild, plant-derived exfoliant that gently smooths skin without the sting of stronger acids.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareexfoliant
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Fragrance

Liatris Leaf Extract

Liatris Odoratissima Leaf Extract

3.5

A fragrant botanical extract with mild skin-conditioning potential, but limited research on its cosmetic benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical extract
Read ingredient review

Fragrance

Liatris Odoratissima Leaf Oil

Liatris Odoratissima Leaf Oil

3.8

A fragrant leaf oil that adds a sweet, vanilla-like scent to products, but has limited research on skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarefragrance
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Antioxidant

Licorice Callus Extract

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Callus Culture Extract

4.0

A lab-grown licorice extract that helps calm irritation and defend against environmental stress without the variability of field-grown plants.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareantioxidantsoothing
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Antioxidant

Licorice Meristem Cell Culture

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Meristem Cell Culture

4.0

A gentle, lab-grown licorice extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though human studies are limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Licorice Meristem Cell Extract

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Meristem Cell Culture Extract

4.0

A gentle, lab-grown licorice extract that may help calm redness and protect skin from environmental stress.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Soothing Agent

Licorice Root Extract

PERIANDRA DULCIS ROOT EXTRACT

4.0

A gentle, plant-based extract that helps calm redness and provides antioxidant protection, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing Agent

Licorice Root Ferment Extract

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root/Sucrose Ferment Extract Filtrate

4.3

A gentle, fermented licorice root extract that helps calm redness and even skin tone without harsh chemicals.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Soothing agent

Licorice Root Juice

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Juice

4.3

Licorice root juice is a gentle, natural ingredient that helps calm redness and even out skin tone without harsh side effects.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
Read ingredient review

Soothing agent

Licorice Root Oil

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Oil

4.0

Licorice root oil is a gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that helps calm irritation and even out skin tone without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
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Antioxidant

Licorice Root Prenylflavonoids

Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Prenylflavonoids

4.3

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that helps calm redness and even out skin tone without irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
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Soothing Agent

Licorice Root Water

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Water

4.0

A gentle, plant-based water that helps calm redness and provides antioxidant protection without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
Read ingredient review

Soothing Agent

Licorice Sprout Extract

Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Sprout Extract

4.0

A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from licorice sprouts that helps calm redness and protect skin from environmental stress.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincaresoothing agent
Read ingredient review

Exfoliant

Ligninase

Ligninase

3.8

Ligninase is a gentle enzyme exfoliant that helps brighten skin by breaking down dead surface cells, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareexfoliant
Read ingredient review

Emollient

Lignoceryl Erucate

LIGNOCERYL ERUCATE

4.0

A gentle wax ester that softens skin and reinforces the moisture barrier without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollient
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Exfoliant

Lignum Powder

LIGNUM POWDER

3.5

Lignum powder is a natural wood-based exfoliant that gently sloughs dead skin, but its particle size and source can affect how abrasive it feels.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincareexfoliant
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Antioxidant

Ligularia Leaf Extract

Ligularia fischeri Leaf Extract

3.8

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established in cosmetic science.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review

Soothing agent

Ligusticum Acutilobum Branch Extract

LIGUSTICUM ACUTILOBUM BRANCH EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, though research is limited compared to more studied plant extracts.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical extract
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Antioxidant

Ligusticum Striatum Root Extract

LIGUSTICUM STRIATUM ROOT EXTRACT

3.8

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, though research is still emerging and benefits may vary by formulation.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical extract
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Lilac Flower Extract

Syringa Vulgaris Flower Extract

3.8

A gentle botanical extract that may offer antioxidant benefits and a pleasant floral scent, but research on its skincare effects is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical extract
Read ingredient review

Fragrance

Lilac Flower Water

Syringa Vulgaris Flower Water

3.5

A gentle, lightly fragrant floral water that adds a pleasant scent and mild soothing feel to skincare, but has limited proven benefits beyond hydration.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarebotanical extract
Read ingredient review

Antioxidant

Lilac Leaf Cell Culture Extract

Soil Minerals/Syringa Vulgaris Leaf Cell Culture Extract

4.0

A gentle, lab-grown plant extract that may help shield skin from environmental stress and support a more even tone.

Irritation

low

Source

biotech

beautyskincareantioxidant
Read ingredient review