Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, plant-derived extract with emerging research suggesting antioxidant and soothing benefits, but more studies are needed to confirm its efficacy in skincare.

Repagermanium is a synthetic germanium compound with limited evidence for skin benefits; its use in cosmetics is rare and not well-supported by robust research.

Resacetophenone is a synthetic antioxidant that helps stabilize formulas and protect skin from environmental stress.

Resorcinol is an effective exfoliant and antiseptic for acne and dark spots, but it can be irritating and is not suitable for sensitive skin or during pregnancy.

A milder cousin of resorcinol that helps fade dark spots and smooth skin texture, but can still cause irritation in sensitive skin.

A synthetic brightener that helps fade dark spots and even skin tone with low irritation risk.

A synthetic antioxidant that may help brighten skin and even out tone, but research is still limited compared to more established ingredients.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient with a pleasant, sweet, clove-like scent; generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no direct skincare benefit.

A synthetic brightener that targets dark spots, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

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

Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant that helps defend skin from oxidative stress, but its benefits are best supported when combined with other antioxidants and used consistently over time.

A more stable version of resveratrol that offers antioxidant benefits with less irritation risk.

A stabilized, sugar-bound form of resveratrol that offers antioxidant protection with potentially better skin penetration and less irritation than plain resveratrol.

A stabilized version of resveratrol that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though human studies are still limited.

A more stable, oil-friendly version of resveratrol that helps protect skin from environmental stress without the formulation challenges of plain resveratrol.

A gentle, stabilized version of resveratrol that offers antioxidant protection and helps calm the skin without the stability issues of natural resveratrol.

A potent antioxidant that pairs two well-known plant compounds for better stability and skin protection.

A gentle, water-friendly antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress without the stability issues of plain resveratrol.

A more stable, oil-friendly version of resveratrol that helps defend skin from environmental stress and supports a more even-looking complexion.

A stabilized, oil-soluble form of resveratrol that offers antioxidant protection and anti-aging benefits with better stability and skin penetration than plain resveratrol.

A stabilized, oil-soluble version of resveratrol that offers antioxidant benefits with better skin penetration and less irritation than plain resveratrol.

Retinal is a highly effective retinoid that works faster than retinol but may cause more irritation, making it best for experienced users seeking visible anti-aging results.

Retinol is a gold-standard anti-aging ingredient that speeds up skin renewal but can cause irritation if not introduced gradually.

A retinol-peptide hybrid that aims to smooth fine lines and improve texture with a gentler touch than plain retinol.

A gentler, more stable version of retinol that can help smooth fine lines and improve skin texture with less irritation.

A gentle peptide-retinoid hybrid that aims to support smoother, firmer skin without the typical irritation of pure retinol.

A gentler peptide-retinoid hybrid that aims to smooth fine lines and improve skin texture with less irritation than traditional retinol.

A gentler alternative to retinol that pairs retinoic acid with a peptide to support collagen and smooth fine lines with less irritation.

A gentle, water-soluble retinoid alternative that aims to smooth fine lines and improve skin texture with less irritation than traditional retinol.

A gentle peptide-retinoid hybrid that aims to support smoother, firmer-looking skin without the harsh side effects of traditional retinoids.

A gentle peptide-retinoid hybrid that supports collagen without the harsh side effects of pure retinol.

A gentle peptide alternative to retinol that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness with a lower risk of irritation.

A gentler, more stable cousin of retinol that still delivers anti-aging benefits with less irritation.

A next-generation retinoid that aims to smooth wrinkles and improve skin texture with a gentler touch than standard retinol.

A milder retinoid that aims to smooth wrinkles and even skin tone with less redness or peeling than standard retinol.

A milder vitamin A derivative that may support smoother, younger-looking skin with less irritation than traditional retinol.

A newer, potentially gentler retinoid that aims to deliver anti-aging benefits with less irritation than traditional retinol.

A milder retinoid that converts to retinol on skin, offering anti-aging benefits with less irritation than pure retinol.

A gentle, water-soluble retinoid that offers anti-aging benefits with less irritation than traditional retinol.

A gentler vitamin A derivative that may offer anti-aging benefits with less irritation than pure retinol, but with less research backing.

A gentle vitamin A derivative that supports skin texture and firmness over time, ideal for retinol beginners or sensitive skin.

A gentle, beginner-friendly vitamin A option paired with a plant peptide for added skin support, but less potent than pure retinol.

A milder retinoid that can improve skin texture and reduce fine lines with less irritation than retinol, making it a good option for sensitive skin.

A newer retinoid that aims to deliver retinoic acid benefits with less irritation, but long-term data is still limited.

A milder, less irritating retinoid option that may suit sensitive skin, but with less research backing than retinol.

A milder, less irritating form of retinol that converts to retinoic acid in the skin, making it a good option for retinol beginners or sensitive skin.

Retinyl Tallate is a milder retinoid that offers anti-aging benefits with less irritation, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

A gentle plant extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation, though research is still emerging.

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

A lab-made peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with low irritation risk.

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce the look of fine lines and improve skin firmness, but results vary and more human studies are needed.

RH-Polypeptide-104 is a lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, but research is still early.

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, with low irritation risk.

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firm skin, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

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

A promising synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but human research is still limited.

A promising biotech peptide that may help firm skin over time, but human research is still limited.

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and smooth fine lines, but research is still early.

A lab-made peptide that may help support collagen and firmness, but human research is still limited.