Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 10 of 10
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Fragrance

Apple Flower Water

Pyrus Malus Flower Water

3.8

A gentle, lightly fragrant floral water that can refresh and soothe skin, but lacks strong scientific backing for specific skincare benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Fragrance

Bitter Orange Flower Water

CITRUS AURANTIUM AMARA FLOWER WATER

4.0

A gentle, aromatic floral water that can refresh and soothe the skin, but its benefits are largely due to its mild hydrating and calming properties rather than potent active compounds.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Soothing Agent

Cherry Blossom Water

Prunus Avium Flower Water

3.8

A mild, fragrant floral water that can add a touch of soothing hydration and a pleasant scent to skincare, but its benefits beyond water are not strongly proven.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Fragrance

Citrus Depressa Flower Water

CITRUS DEPRESSA FLOWER WATER

3.5

A gentle, aromatic floral water that offers mild toning and refreshing benefits, but lacks strong scientific backing for major skin improvements.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Skin Conditioning

Grapefruit Fruit/Peel Water

Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit/Peel Water

3.8

A gentle, aromatic water from grapefruit that offers mild skin conditioning and a refreshing feel, but its benefits are mostly sensory rather than deeply therapeutic.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Skin Conditioning Agent

Iris Florentina Flower Water

IRIS FLORENTINA FLOWER WATER

3.8

A gentle, lightly fragrant floral water that offers mild hydration and a soothing feel, best for those who enjoy botanical skincare without heavy actives.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Fragrance

Lemon Flower Water

CITRUS LIMON FLOWER WATER

3.8

A gentle, lightly fragrant hydrosol that can refresh and mildly tone skin, but its benefits are mostly aromatic and sensory rather than deeply therapeutic.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Fragrance

Lemongrass Flower Water

Cymbopogon Citratus Flower Water

3.8

A gentle, lightly fragrant hydrosol that can refresh and mildly tone skin, but its benefits are mostly anecdotal and it may cause sensitivity in very reactive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Fragrance

Rosa Rugosa Flower Water

ROSA RUGOSA FLOWER WATER

3.8

A gentle, lightly astringent floral water that can refresh and soothe skin, but its benefits are mostly anecdotal and it may cause sensitivity in those allergic to roses.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Fragrance

Rose Geranium Water

Pelargonium Graveolens Water

3.8

A gentle, lightly fragrant hydrosol that can refresh skin and offer mild astringent benefits, but its active compound levels are very low.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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