Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A lightweight, antioxidant-rich oil that may help soothe and protect the skin, but research is still limited.

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

A lightweight, antioxidant-rich oil that may help soothe and moisturize skin, but its comedogenic potential means it's best for normal to dry skin types.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil that helps moisturize and protect the skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens and smooths skin with a lightweight feel, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.

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

A novel plant protein with promising anti-aging potential, but research is still early and it's not widely available in consumer products.

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

A marine-derived antioxidant extract with limited but promising research; best for soothing and protecting sensitive skin.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established.

Brilliant Black 1 is a safe synthetic colorant for most people, but those with sensitive skin or allergies should patch test first.

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

Broccoli seed oil is a lightweight, non-greasy plant oil that mimics silicones, making hair soft and shiny while moisturizing skin without clogging pores.

A lightweight, plant-derived emollient that mimics silicones and offers antioxidant benefits without clogging pores.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich powder from broccoli sprouts that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

A gentle pineapple-derived enzyme that exfoliates and calms skin, but may irritate sensitive skin if overused.

A plant extract with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited and it's not a proven powerhouse ingredient.

Bromocresol Green is a synthetic dye used to adjust product color or indicate pH, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Bromoethyl PCA is a synthetic preservative booster that helps prevent microbial growth, but its safety data is limited and it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic preservative with limited safety data; best avoided in leave-on products until more research is available.

Bromothymol Blue is a synthetic dye used for color, not a beneficial skincare ingredient; it adds no proven skin benefits.

An effective but controversial preservative that is now banned in the EU and restricted elsewhere due to potential skin irritation and nitrosamine formation.

An effective preservative but can be irritating and may release formaldehyde under certain conditions.

Bronzite powder is a natural mineral that adds a warm, golden shimmer to cosmetics, but it's purely aesthetic with no proven skincare benefits.

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

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

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

A gentle plant wax that adds richness and stability to balms and creams without common irritation.

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

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it's not a powerhouse ingredient.

A gentle plant extract that may help even skin tone and protect against environmental damage, but research is still limited compared to more established brighteners.

A gentle plant extract that may help even out skin tone and protect against environmental damage, but more human studies are needed to confirm its brightening effects.

A safe, widely used synthetic colorant for brown shades, but offers no skincare benefits.

A gentle brown seaweed extract that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress, though research is still early.

A gentle, hydrating seaweed powder that helps skin retain moisture and may soothe irritation.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet well-established.

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research on its topical benefits is still limited.

Bryonolic Acid is a plant-based antioxidant with early research suggesting anti-inflammatory benefits, but it is not yet widely studied in human skin care.

Bubulum oil is a traditional animal-derived emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some.

Buchu leaf extract is a gentle botanical with traditional use for soothing skin, but scientific evidence for its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

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

A gentle, lab-grown antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress without irritation.

A gentle, fermented botanical extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though research is still early.

Buckwheat flour is a gentle, natural powder that absorbs excess oil and provides light physical exfoliation, but it may not suit those with buckwheat allergies.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and defend against daily pollution and UV stress.

Buckwheat Seed Extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps calm skin and defend against environmental stress.

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

Buckwheat Stem Extract is a gentle antioxidant-rich ingredient that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

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

A gentle botanical extract that helps defend skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation, but research is still emerging.

A gentle, lab-grown plant extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though human studies are limited.

A gentle, lab-grown plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and calm irritation, though human studies are still limited.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, though research is still emerging.

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

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research is limited and it is not a standout ingredient.

A gentle botanical extract with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited and it's not a standout ingredient.

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