Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Potassium alum is a mineral salt that tightens skin and reduces sweat, but its safety is debated due to aluminum content.

A synthetic thickener that gives water-based products a smooth, gel-like feel; generally safe but not a functional active ingredient.

A gentler, more stable form of vitamin C that brightens skin and fights free radicals with less irritation than pure ascorbic acid.

A stable, dual-antioxidant ingredient that helps brighten skin and fight free radical damage without the irritation of pure vitamin C.

A gentler, more stable vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals with less sting than pure ascorbic acid.

A well-tolerated alternative to azelaic acid that helps fade dark spots, calm redness, and refine pores without irritation.

A mild, plant-derived soap that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle soap ingredient that helps create a creamy lather and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser derived from rice protein that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleansing agent that cleans without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, widely used preservative that helps keep your products safe from bacteria and mold without common irritation.

Potassium bicarbonate is a gentle pH adjuster that helps keep your skincare products stable and comfortable on skin, but it is not a star active ingredient.

Potassium Biphthalate is a lab buffer with no proven skincare benefits; it's rarely used in cosmetics and offers no direct skin improvement.

A gentle, food-derived ingredient that helps balance pH and provide mild exfoliation without harshness.

A gentle, plant-derived cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

Potassium borate is a synthetic salt used to adjust pH and preserve products, but it raises safety concerns due to its boron content and potential for irritation.

Potassium bromide is a synthetic salt used as a preservative, but it has limited cosmetic use and potential irritation concerns.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, especially in water or sweat.

A paraben preservative that is effective but controversial due to potential endocrine concerns; many brands now avoid it.

A gentle, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, effective cleansing ingredient that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A mild, plant-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Potassium caprate is an effective, plant-derived cleanser, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types if used in high concentrations.

A gentle, amino-acid-based brightener that helps fade dark spots without the irritation of stronger alternatives.

Potassium Caprylate is an effective, mild cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may be drying for very sensitive skin types.

A gentle, plant-derived cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively without disrupting the skin barrier.

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that effectively cleanses while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

A safe, effective thickener that gives gels and creams a smooth, non-greasy feel without clogging pores.

Potassium carbonate is a safe pH adjuster in tiny amounts, but can be irritating if used too high in leave-on products.

Potassium Caroate is a strong oxidizer used for bleaching and antimicrobial effects, but it can be irritating and is not common in everyday skincare.

A gentle, plant-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, plant-derived film former that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a comfortable, non-sticky feel on skin.

A mild, effective emulsifier that creates stable, creamy textures without stripping the skin.

Potassium chloride is a safe, common salt used to adjust product thickness and stability, not a star active ingredient.

Potassium citrate is a gentle pH adjuster that helps keep your skincare products stable and comfortable on skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived soap ingredient that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that effectively cleanses while respecting the skin barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting your skin's pH and moisture barrier.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that foams well and is ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

A mild, protein-derived surfactant that cleans gently and helps maintain skin and hair softness.

A mild, coconut-derived cleanser that also helps hair and skin feel soft, but its collagen content is too large to penetrate deeply.

A gentle, protein-based surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping, with added conditioning benefits from oat protein.

A mild, protein-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, plant-derived cleansing ingredient that effectively removes dirt and oil while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being gentle enough for sensitive skin and daily use.

A mild, silk-based surfactant that cleanses gently and leaves skin feeling soft, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that cleans without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, protein-enriched cleanser that helps clean hair and skin while leaving them feeling soft and less stripped.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping and adds a soft feel to skin and hair.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that cleans without stripping and even adds a touch of moisture.

A mild, coconut-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting the skin’s natural barrier.

A mild, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kinder to sensitive skin than traditional sulfates.

A mild, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A gentle, plant-derived cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.