Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A skin-identical lipid that strengthens the moisture barrier and helps keep skin plump and resilient.

This potent essential oil blend adds a warm, spicy scent and some antimicrobial activity, but it is a common skin irritant and sensitizer, especially at high concentrations.

A fragrant botanical water blend that can add antioxidant and soothing properties, but may be irritating for sensitive skin due to essential oil components.

A gentle botanical blend that offers antioxidant protection and a pleasant natural scent, but research on its skincare benefits is still emerging.

A warming, aromatic oil blend that adds a spicy scent but can easily irritate sensitive skin.

Spike lavender extract adds a fresh herbal scent and may offer mild soothing effects, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its essential oil content.

Spike lavender oil adds a fresh herbal scent and may help calm skin, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin types.

Spilanthes extract is a natural botanical that may help temporarily tighten and smooth the skin, often compared to a milder, plant-based alternative to synthetic peptides.

A plant extract that may temporarily tighten and smooth skin, but research is limited and effects are subtle.

Spinach leaf extract is a gentle antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps protect skin from environmental stress while providing soothing benefits.

Spinach leaf powder is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that may help soothe and protect skin, but research on its topical benefits is still emerging.

A gentle botanical root extract with soothing and antioxidant potential, best suited for sensitive or irritated skin.

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

Spiralene is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, herbal note to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those avoiding fragrance.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note but offers no skincare benefit and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a woody, amber scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some people.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich algae extract that may help calm and protect skin from environmental stress.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich ferment that supports skin barrier function and soothes irritation without clogging pores.

A gentle fruit extract rich in antioxidants that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that helps hydrate and protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

Sponge is a gentle physical exfoliant and cleansing tool, but its effectiveness and safety depend on material and hygiene.

A marine extract that may help hydrate and soothe skin, but research is limited and sourcing raises sustainability questions.

Spotted geranium oil offers a gentle astringent effect and a pleasant floral scent, but its skincare benefits are backed by limited research and it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Spotted Lanternfly Extract is a novel, insect-derived ingredient with very limited research and safety data, making it a high-risk choice for skincare.

A mild, plant-based water that may help calm and hydrate skin, but research is limited.

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is limited.

A gentle, plant-based exfoliant that helps smooth skin texture and promote a more even tone without harsh scrubbing.

A gentle, plant-based ingredient that may help protect skin from environmental stress and calm irritation.

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant that helps shield skin from pollution and UV-related damage without irritation.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder from spruce bark that also provides antioxidant benefits, but research on its specific cosmetic effects is limited.

A fragrant essential oil with mild antioxidant potential, best suited for those who enjoy natural, woody scents and do not have sensitive skin.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from spruce buds that helps protect skin from environmental stress and soothe irritation.

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that may help calm and protect skin, though research is still early.

Spruce leaf oil adds a fresh, forest-like scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.

Spruce oil adds a fresh, woodsy scent to products but may irritate sensitive skin due to its essential oil content.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that helps calm skin and defend against environmental stress—great for sensitive or reactive skin types.

Squalane is a stable, non-comedogenic moisturizer that hydrates and softens skin without irritation, making it ideal for all skin types.

Squalene is a skin-friendly lipid that hydrates and defends against moisture loss, but it is less stable than its hydrogenated cousin squalane.

A lab-engineered peptide that aims to defend skin against pollution and UV-related damage by neutralizing harmful free radicals.

SR-Dog Polypeptide-1 is a synthetic peptide that may support collagen production and skin firmness, but human research is very limited.

A novel synthetic peptide inspired by horse proteins that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but human research is still limited.

A gentle peptide that may help improve skin firmness and texture over time, but results are subtle and require consistent use.

A lab-made peptide inspired by spider silk that may help firm and smooth skin, but human research is still limited.

A lab-made peptide inspired by spider silk that may help temporarily firm and smooth skin, but human research is very limited.

A lab-made peptide inspired by spider silk that may help support skin firmness, but human research is still limited.

A lab-made peptide that mimics spider silk to temporarily tighten and smooth skin, but long-term anti-aging evidence is still limited.

A lab-made peptide inspired by spider silk that may help temporarily firm and smooth skin, but human research is still limited.

A lab-grown antioxidant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but human research is still limited.

A lab-grown plant cell extract that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research is still early.

A soothing botanical extract with antioxidant benefits, but may increase sun sensitivity in high concentrations.

A gentle herbal extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but its benefits are modest and not as well-studied as some other antioxidants.

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

Stannous chloride is a synthetic stabilizer used in some hair dyes and formulas to prevent oxidation, but it has moderate irritation potential and is not common in everyday skincare.

Stannous pyrophosphate is a synthetic stabilizer that helps preserve product integrity, but its role is more about formulation stability than direct skin benefits.

A promising probiotic ingredient that may help balance skin bacteria and strengthen the skin barrier, but research is still early.

A probiotic ingredient that may help balance the skin's microbiome and strengthen the skin barrier, but research is still emerging.

A gentle, water-based star anise extract that offers mild antioxidant and astringent benefits, but research on its topical effects is limited.