Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, antioxidant-rich floral water that may help calm irritated skin, but research is still limited.

A gentle, biotech-derived ferment that may help calm and condition skin, but research is still early.

Chrysin is a gentle plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but human research is still limited.

Chrysocolla is a mineral extract with potential antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research is limited.

Chymotrypsin is an enzyme exfoliant that can help remove dead skin cells and reduce inflammation, but its use in skincare is less common than other enzymes like papain or bromelain.

CI 11710 is a widely used yellow pigment that adds color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 11920 is a safe, widely used synthetic orange dye, but it offers no skincare benefits beyond color.

A common synthetic red dye that adds color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 12120 is a synthetic red pigment that adds vibrant color to makeup, but its safety is well-established for external use only.

CI 12370 is a synthetic red dye that adds vibrant color to cosmetics, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

CI 12490 is a safe, widely used synthetic pigment that adds vibrant red color to makeup, but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 12700 is a synthetic yellow dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used synthetic red dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used synthetic red pigment that is generally safe in cosmetics but may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

CI 16290 is a safe, widely used synthetic red dye that adds color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used synthetic red dye that adds color to cosmetics but has raised some safety concerns in high oral doses.

CI 18130 is a safe, widely used synthetic pigment that adds red color to makeup, but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 18690 is a synthetic red pigment that adds color to makeup, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in very rare cases.

CI 18965 is a safe, widely used synthetic yellow pigment, but offers no skincare benefits beyond color.

CI 20040 is a synthetic yellow dye used for color, but it has raised some safety concerns and is restricted in several regions.

CI 20470 is a safe, widely used synthetic black dye for rinse-off products, but offers no skincare benefit.

CI 26100 is a safe, widely used synthetic red dye for wash-off cosmetics, but offers no skincare benefits and may cause rare allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A widely used synthetic yellow dye that is generally safe in cosmetics but may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

CI 40820 is a synthetic brightener that makes products look whiter or brighter, but it offers no skincare benefit and is best avoided by those with sensitive skin.

A synthetic yellow dye that adds color to products but offers no skincare benefit; generally considered safe at low concentrations.

CI 40850 is a widely used synthetic yellow colorant in cosmetics, generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in rare cases.

CI 42100 is a safe, widely used synthetic green dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 42510 is a synthetic violet dye that adds color to cosmetics but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

CI 42520 is a synthetic violet dye that adds color to cosmetics but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A widely used synthetic blue dye that is generally safe in cosmetics at low levels, but some people may prefer to avoid synthetic colors.

A safe, widely used synthetic violet dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 45405 is a synthetic red dye that adds color to cosmetics, but it has raised safety concerns and is restricted or banned in some countries.

CI 45430 is a common synthetic red dye that adds vibrant color to cosmetics, but it has some safety concerns, particularly regarding oral ingestion.

CI 50420 is a synthetic black dye that adds color to cosmetics but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

CI 51319 is a widely used synthetic red dye that adds vibrant color to cosmetics, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

CI 58000 is a widely used synthetic red colorant that is generally considered safe in cosmetics at regulated levels, but may cause irritation in very sensitive individuals.

CI 60724 is a synthetic violet dye that adds color to cosmetics, but it has limited safety data and is best used in rinse-off products.

CI 60725 is a safe, widely used synthetic violet dye that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 60730 is a safe synthetic violet dye for most people, but those with sensitive skin may want to patch test.

CI 69825 is a widely used red pigment that adds color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 71105 is a safe, widely used blue pigment in cosmetics, but it offers no skincare benefits beyond color.

CI 73900 is a widely used, safe red pigment that gives makeup its color without causing irritation or clogging pores.

CI 73915 is a safe, widely used red pigment that gives makeup its color without known skin irritation or clogging.

CI 74100 is a safe, widely used synthetic green pigment in color cosmetics, but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used blue pigment that is generally safe for cosmetic use, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

CI 74180 is a safe, widely used synthetic dye that adds red color to cosmetics, but it offers no skincare benefits.

A safe, widely used synthetic green pigment that adds color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 75100 is a natural colorant that adds warm yellow-orange tones to cosmetics, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A widely used synthetic yellow pigment that adds color to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 75135 is a widely used synthetic red pigment that adds vibrant color to makeup with a good safety profile for most people.

CI 75170 is a safe, natural pearlescent pigment that adds shimmer to makeup but offers no skincare benefits.

A safe, widely used red pigment that gives color to makeup without known skin irritation or clogging pores.

CI 77231 is a colorant used for opacity, but it has raised safety concerns in other industries; in cosmetics, it is restricted to low concentrations.

CI 77400 is a safe, widely used colorant that adds red or copper hues to makeup, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in very sensitive individuals.

A safe, natural mineral pigment that adds color or opacity but offers no skincare benefits.

CI 77745 is a safe, widely used blue pigment in color cosmetics, but it's not a skincare active ingredient.

A fern-derived oil with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited and it is not widely studied in modern skincare.

Ciclopirox Olamine is a well-studied antifungal ingredient that helps control dandruff and scalp flaking, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive scalps.

A traditional botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but human skincare research is still limited.

Cinchona bark extract is a traditional botanical with mild astringent properties, but its use in modern skincare is limited and may cause irritation in sensitive skin.