Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Lauryl Stearate is a gentle emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that creates a rich lather and is well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle silicone that makes skin feel smooth and helps products glide on without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A mild, effective emulsifier that helps create stable, silky formulas without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, fat-soluble vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals without the sting of pure ascorbic acid.

An effective cleansing and antistatic agent, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types, especially at higher concentrations.

An effective preservative for rinse-off products, but can be irritating to sensitive skin or eyes at higher concentrations.

An effective antistatic and conditioning agent, but can be irritating for sensitive scalps or skin at higher concentrations.

An effective preservative but may cause irritation in sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

Lava extract is a mineral-rich ingredient that may help absorb excess oil and provide trace minerals, but research on its skincare benefits is limited.

Lava powder is a natural mineral powder that helps absorb excess oil and gently exfoliate skin, but it can be abrasive for sensitive skin.

Lavandin Abrial Herb Oil adds a pleasant lavender-like scent to products, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin due to its essential oil content.

Lavandin extract can offer mild soothing benefits and a pleasant scent, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin due to its natural fragrance compounds.

A fragrant botanical extract with mild soothing and antimicrobial benefits, but may irritate sensitive skin due to its essential oil content.

Lavandin Grosso Oil adds a fresh, herbal scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its high camphor content.

Lavandin herb extract offers gentle soothing and a pleasant scent, but its benefits are mostly aromatic and calming rather than transformative.

Lavandin oil adds a pleasant lavender-like scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its high camphor content.

Lavandulyl acetate adds a gentle lavender-like scent to products and may offer mild skin soothing, but it is primarily a fragrance ingredient with limited direct skincare benefits.

A gentle, lab-grown lavender extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still early.

Lavender Extract adds a pleasant scent and mild antioxidant benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin and is not a proven treatment for skin conditions.

Lavender flower extract adds a pleasant scent and may offer mild soothing effects, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and has limited proven skincare benefits.

Lavender flower powder adds gentle physical exfoliation and a calming scent, but its coarse particles and potential for irritation mean it's best suited for rinse-off products and not for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Lavender flower water is a mild, aromatic hydrosol that can add a pleasant scent and a touch of soothing hydration to skincare, but its benefits are subtle and it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-based wax that adds richness and a smooth feel to balms and creams without clogging pores.

Lavender extract adds a pleasant scent and mild soothing feel to products, but can be irritating for sensitive or reactive skin.

A gentle, aromatic botanical water that adds a subtle lavender scent and a touch of soothing potential to skincare formulas.

Lavender water is a gentle, aromatic hydrosol that can soothe and refresh skin, but its benefits are mostly anecdotal and it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals due to trace essential oil components.

A gentle botanical extract with a pleasant lavender scent, but may irritate sensitive skin due to natural fragrance compounds.

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant support, but its fragrance can be a concern for sensitive noses.

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

A gentle, lab-grown lavender extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.

A fragrant lavender leaf extract that can soothe skin and fight free radicals, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals due to its natural essential oil content.

Lavender oil adds a pleasant floral scent to skincare but can cause irritation in sensitive skin; use with caution.

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

A gentle, aromatic hydrosol that adds a subtle lavender scent and mild soothing feel to skincare, but offers limited active benefits compared to essential oils.

A fragrant wood oil with a pleasant scent and some antimicrobial potential, but limited research on direct skin benefits and a moderate risk of irritation for sensitive skin.

Lawsone is a natural colorant from henna that stains hair and skin, but it can cause irritation in sensitive individuals and is not approved for use in leave-on cosmetics in some regions.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich blend that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but benefits vary widely by plant source.

Leaf oils add natural fragrance to skincare but can be irritating for sensitive skin; patch test recommended.

Leafy spurge extract is a botanical ingredient with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but its use in skincare is still emerging and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Leather Coral Extract is a marine antioxidant that may help soothe skin and fight free radicals, but research is limited.

Lecithin is a gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in formulas while also providing mild hydration and skin barrier support.

Lecithinamide DEA is a surfactant that helps create rich lather, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, nourishing plant oil that softens skin without feeling heavy, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.

A gentle, lab-grown root extract that may help calm irritation and defend against environmental stress, though human studies are limited.

A gentle botanical extract with traditional use for calming skin, but modern research is still limited.

Leek extract offers antioxidant benefits and mild soothing effects, but research on its cosmetic use is still emerging.

A gentle botanical blend that pairs lemon's antioxidant power with seaweed's soothing hydration, but the research is still emerging.

Lemon balm extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical that helps calm skin and fight free radical damage, but its benefits are best supported by traditional use and lab studies rather than large human trials.

Lemon balm juice is a gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical that helps calm irritated skin and provides mild protection against environmental stress.

A gentle botanical powder that may help calm irritated skin and provide antioxidant protection, but its effectiveness depends on formulation and concentration.

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

A mild, aromatic botanical water that can help calm and refresh the skin, but its benefits are mostly anecdotal and it may cause sensitivity in rare cases.

A gentle plant-based antioxidant from lemon buds that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is limited and it can cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, lab-grown lemon extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.

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

A fragrant botanical water that can refresh and lightly tone skin, but may cause irritation for sensitive types due to natural essential oil components.

Lemon extract can brighten skin and fight free radicals, but its acidity and photosensitizing compounds require careful formulation and sun protection.

A gentle, fragrant extract that adds a light antioxidant boost and a pleasant citrus scent, but its benefits are not as well-studied as other citrus extracts.