Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, best for those seeking natural, plant-based skincare ingredients.

Protamine sulfate is a gentle film-forming protein that can help condition hair and skin, but its benefits are mild and not well-studied in cosmetics.

A gentle, natural humectant from South African protea flowers that helps hydrate skin, but research on its specific benefits is still limited.

Protease is an enzyme exfoliant that gently dissolves dead skin cells, but it can be irritating if left on too long or used too frequently.

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

A gentle antioxidant that helps defend skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

A gentle antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may support a more even tone.

Protodioscin is a plant saponin with early evidence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, but human skincare studies are limited.

Prunasin is a plant-derived compound with early research suggesting soothing benefits, but it's not widely studied in cosmetics and requires careful sourcing.

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm irritation and defend against environmental stress, though more human studies are needed.

A gentle botanical extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

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

A gentle, non-greasy plant oil that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, making it a good choice for sensitive or acne-prone types.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, natural powder that can lightly exfoliate or absorb oil, but with limited research on its specific benefits.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract from Japanese apricot buds that may help soothe and protect skin from environmental stress.

A gentle floral water that may offer soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited compared to more established ingredients.

A gentle, naturally fermented fruit vinegar that exfoliates and brightens skin without the harshness of stronger acids.

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant extract with potential skin-soothing benefits, but research is still early.

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

A natural, finely-milled seed powder that gently exfoliates without harsh microbeads, making it a eco-friendly choice for smooth skin.

A gentle, plant-based oil that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.

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

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

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

A mild, antioxidant-rich botanical water that hydrates and soothes, but with limited scientific research backing its specific benefits.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich leaf extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.

A gentle, water-like ingredient from flowering plum fruit that adds light hydration and a touch of antioxidants, but lacks strong clinical backing.

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

A gentle marine probiotic ingredient that calms irritation and strengthens the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin.

A microalgae extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support hydration, though research is still early.

A bacterial ferment extract that may help calm skin and support the barrier, but research is still early and the ingredient name can sound alarming.

A gentle botanical oil with early evidence of antioxidant activity, but more research is needed to confirm its benefits for skin.

Psicose is a gentle, natural humectant that helps hydrate skin and may offer antioxidant benefits, though research in cosmetics is still limited.

A gentle, plant-based thickener that creates a soothing gel texture, but it can feel sticky if used too high.

A fern-derived extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established in human skin.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research in topical skincare is still limited.

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

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still early.

A gentle, hydrating seaweed extract that helps skin retain moisture and feel smoother.

PTFE adds a silky, smooth feel to makeup but raises environmental and health concerns due to its persistence and potential contamination with PFAS.

A synthetic ingredient that creates a smooth, water-resistant film on skin, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A traditional Amazonian plant extract with promising antioxidant potential, but currently lacks robust human studies to confirm specific skincare benefits.

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich Amazonian leaf extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

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

A gentle Amazonian botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but human skincare studies are limited.

A traditional Amazonian root extract with limited but promising research for antioxidant and soothing benefits in skincare.

A gentle floral oil with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific skin benefits is still emerging.

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

A gentle, fermented kudzu extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

A fermented kudzu and yeast extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a healthy-looking complexion.

A gentle, fermented botanical extract that may help soothe skin and provide antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging.

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

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still limited.

Puerarin is a plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and support collagen, but human studies in cosmetics are still limited.

Pullulan is a gentle, plant-derived film former that gives skin a temporary smooth, tightened feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle, natural film-former that hydrates and gives a smooth, plumping feel without stickiness.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin while supporting a healthy moisture barrier.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, though research is limited and mostly traditional.