Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Pentapotassium Triphosphate is a safe, effective chelating agent that helps maintain product stability and performance by binding metal ions.

A workhorse chelating agent that helps your products stay fresh and effective by neutralizing troublesome metal ions.

A synthetic chelator that helps keep your products stable and effective by binding to unwanted metals in the formula.

A behind-the-scenes helper that keeps your products fresh and effective by neutralizing unwanted metals.

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and support skin firmness, but more human studies are needed.

Pentasodium Triphosphate is a safe, synthetic helper ingredient that binds hard-water minerals to boost lather and keep cleansers stable.

Pentetic acid is a gentle chelating agent that helps keep your skincare products stable and effective by binding to unwanted metal ions.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant extract with emerging research, best suited for soothing and protecting normal to sensitive skin.

A gentle, sugar-based humectant that hydrates without stickiness and may help strengthen the skin barrier — promising but not yet widely studied.

A synthetic ingredient that helps reduce excess oil and may improve acne without drying out the skin.

Pentylene Glycol is a gentle, effective humectant that hydrates skin and helps preserve formulas without common irritation.

A modern synthetic UV filter that offers broad-spectrum protection with a good safety profile, but is not yet as widely studied as older filters.

A synthetic ingredient that helps sunscreens feel silky and keeps UV filters stable, but it's not a primary active on its own.

Peoniflorin is a gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that helps calm skin and fight free radical damage, but it's not a standalone solution for major skin concerns.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that helps calm skin and fight environmental stress, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.

A gentle, lab-grown peony extract that may help calm skin and fight oxidative stress, though human studies are still limited.

Peony callus extract is a gentle antioxidant-rich ingredient that may help calm skin and fight environmental damage, though research is still early.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that helps calm skin and fight environmental stress, but its benefits are modest compared to more potent antioxidants.

Peony flower powder is a gentle, natural powder that can help absorb excess oil and provide mild antioxidant benefits, but its effects are subtle and not as well-studied as more common botanical powders.

Peony flower water is a gentle, antioxidant-rich floral water that can help soothe and brighten skin without irritation.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress, but research is still early.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from peony cell cultures that may help calm and protect skin.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical that helps calm redness and support a balanced complexion.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical powder that helps calm skin and fight environmental stress without irritation.

Peony Root Water is a gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical water that helps soothe and protect the skin, making it a great choice for sensitive or redness-prone skin types.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that may help soothe and protect skin, though research is still emerging.

A gentle botanical blend that may help soothe and refresh the skin, but its benefits are largely based on traditional use rather than strong clinical evidence.

Peppermint extract adds a cooling tingle and fresh scent to products, but can irritate sensitive skin if used too strong.

A gentle fermented ingredient that may help soothe and condition skin, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, lab-grown peppermint extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Peppermint leaf extract adds a refreshing tingle to skincare but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Peppermint Leaf Juice offers a refreshing, cooling sensation and mild astringent benefits, but its high menthol content can irritate sensitive or broken skin.

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

Peppermint oil adds a cooling tingle and fresh scent to products, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, aromatic water that can refresh and temporarily soothe skin, but its benefits are mostly sensory and mild.

Pepsin is an enzyme exfoliant that breaks down proteins on the skin, but its use in cosmetics is rare and not well-studied for safety or efficacy.

A peptide duo that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but human studies are limited.

A cutting-edge peptide blend that may support skin firmness, but research is still emerging and the complex formulation makes it hard to evaluate.

A novel peptide-protein hybrid with promising but limited research; may help support skin resilience.

A cutting-edge peptide and ferment blend that may support skin firmness, but its unique ingredients lack broad independent research.

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

A gentle, nourishing oil rich in oleic and palmitoleic acids that helps soften and protect the skin without feeling overly greasy.

This is a synthetic processing aid with limited direct skin benefit; it's rarely used in leave-on skincare and may pose irritation risks at higher concentrations.

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

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

A gentle, plant-based oil that helps soften and smooth skin without feeling greasy, though research on its unique benefits is still limited.

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

A gentle, plant-derived oil that helps soften skin and provides antioxidant benefits, though research is still limited.

A synthetic film-former that helps products resist water and last longer, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A synthetic fluorinated ingredient that creates a smooth, breathable film on skin, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen resist water and last longer, but raises environmental concerns due to its perfluoroalkyl structure.

A synthetic film-former that boosts water resistance and wear time, but its perfluoroalkyl structure raises environmental persistence concerns.

A synthetic ingredient that helps sunscreen spread evenly and stay on the skin longer, but belongs to a chemical family under environmental scrutiny.

A synthetic fluorinated ingredient that helps repel water and reduce frizz, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A coated mica that gives a silky feel and water resistance to powders, but its perfluoroalkyl coating raises environmental and health concerns.

A synthetic film-former that helps lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier without feeling heavy.

A synthetic fluorinated compound that may help deliver oxygen to the skin, but its cosmetic benefits are not well-established and it is rarely used.

A high-performance film former that helps products resist water and sweat, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A synthetic ingredient that gives products a silky feel and helps them spread smoothly, but it's not well-studied for long-term skin effects.

Perfluorodecalin is a synthetic oxygen carrier that may temporarily improve skin oxygenation and radiance, but its cosmetic benefits are still being studied.