Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Alpha-arbutin is a well-tolerated, plant-based brightener that gently fades dark spots without the irritation of stronger alternatives.

Alpha-Camphorene is a plant-derived antioxidant with emerging research, but its use in skincare is limited and may pose a moderate irritation risk for sensitive skin.

Alpha-Cedrene is a natural fragrance ingredient from cedarwood with early research suggesting antioxidant and soothing benefits, but it's primarily used for scent.

Alpha-Damascone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a rose-like scent to products but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Alpha-Ethoxyphenetole is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited published safety data, but it is generally considered safe at the low levels used in cosmetics.

Alpha-glucan is a gentle, sugar-derived humectant that hydrates skin and supports a healthy microbiome without irritation.

Alpha-Ionone adds a floral violet scent to products but can be a skin sensitizer for some individuals.

Alpha-Ionyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A common synthetic floral scent that is generally safe but may trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that gives a floral violet note, but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy note but offers no skincare benefit beyond fragrance.

Alpha-phellandrene is a fragrant plant compound with some antioxidant potential, but its main role in skincare is as a scent ingredient, and it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alpha-Pinanol is a natural fragrance ingredient with mild antimicrobial properties, but it may cause irritation in sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Alpha-pinene is a plant-derived antioxidant that can help protect skin from environmental stress, but it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

Alpha-santalol is the primary fragrant component of sandalwood oil, offering a subtle woody scent and potential soothing benefits, but it must be used at low concentrations to minimize the risk of skin irritation.

Alpha-Santalyl Butyrate is a gentle synthetic emollient and fragrance ingredient that softens skin and adds a subtle sandalwood-like scent, but it has limited research on long-term benefits.

Alpha-Terpinene is a fragrant plant compound with antioxidant benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.

Alpha-Terpinyl Acetate is a natural fragrance compound that adds a pleasant scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

A gentle plant stem cell extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific benefits for skin is still limited.

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

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging.

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

A gentle, fragrant plant extract with potential antioxidant and soothing benefits, though research is still early.

Alpine Holy Grass Oil adds a natural, sweet scent to products and may offer mild soothing benefits, but research is limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though research is still limited.

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich alpine plant extract that may help soothe and protect skin from environmental stress, though human studies are limited.

A gentle botanical extract from the ginger family that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.

A fragrant leaf oil from the ginger family that adds a pleasant scent to products, but with limited research on skin benefits and potential for irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle botanical powder from the ginger family that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research is still early and its effects in skincare are not yet well-established.

A gentle, plant-derived water that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant benefits, though research is still emerging.

A gentle botanical seed powder with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it's mostly used as a mild physical exfoliant.

A gentle, plant-derived water that offers light hydration and potential soothing benefits, but research is still emerging.

A gentle, plant-based powder with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific benefits in skincare is still limited.

A mild, water-based botanical extract that may offer soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research on this specific species is limited.

A gentle, natural powdered exfoliant with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it may not suit very sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived water that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant protection, but research is still limited.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human skin.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich root extract that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stressors, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant powder that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, best for those seeking natural, soothing skincare ingredients.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research in skincare is still limited.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though human studies are limited.

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

A gentle, aromatic botanical water that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research is limited.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human skin.

A fragrant essential oil from shell ginger leaves that adds a pleasant scent to products, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A mild, plant-derived water that may offer soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited and it's often used more for its light scent and hydrating feel than proven efficacy.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human skin.

A fragrant plant oil with limited research; may offer mild skin benefits but poses a risk of irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, hydrating botanical water that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research is limited.

A gentle, plant-derived hydrosol that may help calm skin and provide mild antioxidant benefits, but research is limited.

A fragrant leaf oil with mild antioxidant potential, best suited for those who enjoy botanical scents and have no sensitivity to essential oils.

A gentle, water-based botanical extract that may offer mild soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited.

A gentle, water-like botanical ingredient that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant support, but research on its specific benefits is still limited.

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

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich water from shell ginger seeds that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, though research is still early.