Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, mineral-rich seaweed extract that hydrates and soothes the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry types.

A gentle seaweed extract that hydrates and soothes skin, but its benefits are mostly backed by traditional use and limited clinical studies.

A gentle, mineral-rich seaweed extract that hydrates and soothes skin, ideal for sensitive or dry types.

A gentle, nutrient-rich seaweed extract that hydrates and soothes the skin, with antioxidant benefits to help protect against environmental stress.

A synthetic laminated powder that provides gentle exfoliation but raises environmental concerns due to microplastic content.

A high-tech synthetic powder that gives makeup a silky feel and helps blur fine lines without clogging pores.

A synthetic laminated powder that gives makeup a silky feel and helps it stay put, but offers no skincare benefit.

A gentle, plant-derived ingredient that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a calmer complexion, though research is still early.

Laneth-10 is a gentle emulsifier that helps blend water and oil, but may be comedogenic for acne-prone skin.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that softens skin without heavy greasiness, but may not suit those with lanolin allergies.

Laneth-15 is a gentle emulsifier derived from lanolin, but it may be comedogenic for acne-prone skin and is not suitable for those with lanolin allergies.

Laneth-16 helps blend oil and water in products, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

Laneth-20 is a gentle, water-friendly emulsifier derived from lanolin, ideal for blending oils and water in creams and cleansers, but those with lanolin allergies should avoid it.

Laneth-25 is a gentle, water-soluble lanolin derivative that helps blend oil and water in formulas, but may not suit those with lanolin allergies.

Laneth-4 Phosphate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

Laneth-40 is a gentle, water-friendly emulsifier derived from lanolin that helps blend oils and water in creams and cleansers, but may not suit those with lanolin allergies.

Laneth-5 is a gentle, lanolin-derived ingredient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, but those with wool allergies should patch-test first.

Laneth-50 is a gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, but it may not suit those with lanolin allergies.

A gentle emulsifier derived from lanolin that helps blend oil and water in formulas, but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

A gentle, water-soluble lanolin derivative that moisturizes without the heavy, greasy feel of traditional lanolin.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

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

Lanolin is a time-tested moisturizer that mimics skin's natural oils, but it can be comedogenic for some and is not suitable for those with wool allergies.

A gentle, lanolin-based emollient that helps soften and condition skin without the heavy feel of pure lanolin.

A gentle, modified lanolin oil that moisturizes and helps blend water and oil in formulas, but may not suit those with wool allergies.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that softens and smooths skin without the heavy feel of pure lanolin.

A rich, protective emollient derived from sheep's wool that locks in moisture but may clog pores for some.

Lanolinamide DEA helps create rich lather and stabilize mixtures, but it may be mildly irritating or comedogenic for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Lanosterol is a skin-friendly sterol that supports the skin barrier and helps keep moisture in, making it a gentle addition to moisturizing products.

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

Lantana camara extract offers antioxidant benefits but is less studied than other plant extracts and may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Lanthanum Chloride is a rare earth salt that may help calm skin, but it's not well-studied in cosmetics and is used at very low levels.

Lapachone is a natural antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research in cosmetics is still limited.

Lapis lazuli adds a vivid blue hue to cosmetics but offers no proven skincare benefits beyond decoration.

Lapis lazuli extract adds a natural blue tint and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but scientific research on its skincare effects is very limited.

A gentle, fatty-acid-rich seed oil that helps soften and condition skin, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.

A gentle botanical extract with traditional use for soothing skin, but limited modern research to back strong claims.

Lapyrium chloride is a synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and condition hair and skin, but it may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

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

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

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

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

Lard is a traditional emollient that softens skin but may clog pores for some people.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early — it's a nice-to-have rather than a must-have ingredient.

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm irritated skin and provide antioxidant support, though research is limited.

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm irritated skin and provide antioxidant protection, though human studies are limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract that helps calm irritated skin and provides mild protection from environmental stress.

A mild, fragrant floral water that may help calm sensitive skin, but its benefits are largely anecdotal and not backed by strong clinical evidence.

A gentle, plant-based ingredient that may help calm irritated skin and provide antioxidant protection, though human studies are limited.

A plant-based antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early and some related species have raised safety concerns.

A plant extract with antioxidant potential, but limited human studies and a history of oral safety concerns mean it's best used cautiously in low concentrations.

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant that may help shield skin from pollution and UV damage, though human studies are limited.

Laudanosine is a rare plant alkaloid with theoretical antioxidant benefits, but it lacks robust safety and efficacy data for cosmetic use.

Lauraldehyde is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

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

Lauralkonium Bromide is an effective preservative but can be irritating for sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

An effective preservative but can be irritating for sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

Lauramide helps create rich lather and thicken cleansers, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

Lauramide DEA is an effective foam booster but has moderate irritation potential and environmental concerns, making it less popular in modern formulations.