Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, aromatic oil from Japanese spicebush that may offer soothing benefits, but research is limited and it can cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A rare plant compound with promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but currently lacks broad human safety and efficacy data.

A mild, antioxidant-rich flower extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm minor irritation.

Lingonberry fruit juice is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps soothe skin and protect against environmental stress, but it is not a stand-alone treatment for serious skin concerns.

Lingonberry fruit water is a gentle, antioxidant-rich base that can help soothe and lightly condition skin, but its benefits are mild compared to more concentrated extracts.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant from lingonberry leaf cells that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

A lightweight, antioxidant-rich oil that helps moisturize and protect the skin without clogging pores.

Linoleamide is a gentle fatty acid derivative that helps soften and condition skin, but research on its specific benefits is limited compared to its parent compound, linoleic acid.

Linoleamide DEA is a synthetic foam booster and thickener that can improve the lather of cleansers, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin and has raised some safety concerns due to its DEA content.

A foam booster and thickener for cleansers, but may be mildly irritating and potentially pore-clogging for some skin types.

Linoleamide MIPA is a synthetic surfactant that helps create rich foam in cleansers, but it may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps soften hair and reduce static, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and soften skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and soften skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that makes hair softer and easier to manage without weighing it down.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve softness in hair and skin products.

A gentle silicone-conditioner hybrid that smooths hair and softens skin without heavy buildup, but its complex name can be intimidating.

A skin-friendly omega-6 fatty acid that strengthens the moisture barrier and calms dryness without clogging pores.

Linolenic acid is a gentle omega-3 fatty acid that helps reinforce the skin barrier and soothe dryness without clogging pores.

A promising antioxidant that pairs fatty acid benefits with polyphenol protection, but research is still early and products are rare.

A gentle, dual-action ester that moisturizes and lightly exfoliates, making it a smart choice for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin with low irritation potential.

A gentle, oil-soluble vitamin C derivative that pairs antioxidant protection with moisturizing fatty acids, though research is still limited.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from linseed oil that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-dispersible emollient that softens skin and helps blend oil and water phases in formulas — generally well-tolerated and non-comedogenic.

A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions while leaving skin feeling soft.

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

Lipase is a gentle enzyme exfoliant that breaks down sebum and dead skin cells, making it ideal for oily or congested skin without harsh scrubbing.

A fragrant botanical oil with some antioxidant potential, but limited research on skincare benefits and a moderate risk of skin irritation.

Lippia origanoides oil offers antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, but its strong fragrance and potential for irritation mean it's best used in low concentrations and not for sensitive skin.

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

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

A gentle plant extract that may help calm irritation and support skin hydration, though research is still early.

Liriope root extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical that may help calm skin and support hydration, though human research is still limited.

A gentle Amazonian wood extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not well-established.

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

Lithium carbonate is an emerging skincare mineral that may help calm irritation and support skin barrier function, but research is still early.

Lithium chloride is a synthetic salt with humectant properties, but it is rarely used in mainstream skincare due to potential irritation and limited research on cosmetic benefits.

Lithium Gluconate is a gentle, emerging ingredient that may help calm irritation and support the skin barrier, but research is still limited.

A synthetic nucleotide with theoretical cell-energy benefits, but lacks robust human studies and may cause irritation at higher concentrations.

Lithium hydroxide is a strong alkali used to adjust pH in some hair relaxers and soaps, but it can be irritating at high concentrations.

Lithium Myristate is a synthetic thickener that helps give lipsticks and balms a smooth, stable texture, but it has no direct skin benefit and is rarely used in water-based skincare.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put, but with limited research on long-term skin effects.

A safe, non-irritating pigment blend that provides color and coverage, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic mineral pigment that adds color and a soft-focus effect to makeup, but offers no skincare benefits.

Lithium Stearate is a safe, synthetic thickener that helps give cosmetics a smooth, stable texture, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it's often paired with other active ingredients.

A gentle, mineral-rich exfoliant from red algae that polishes skin without harsh microbeads.

Litsea cubeba fruit oil adds a fresh citrus scent and may help with mild antimicrobial benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

A fragrant botanical extract with antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, but its strong essential oil content may irritate sensitive skin.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its skincare benefits is still limited.

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

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific benefits in skincare is still limited.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific benefits for skin is still limited.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves manageability without heavy buildup.

A gentle botanical extract with traditional use for soothing skin, though modern research is still limited.

Loess is a gentle, natural silt that can absorb excess oil and provide a smooth texture, but it lacks strong scientific backing for skincare benefits.

Loess extract is a gentle, mineral-rich sediment that can help absorb excess oil and soothe skin, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still emerging.