Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder from wood apple bark, best for those who prefer plant-based physical exfoliants.

A natural, gritty powder that physically exfoliates skin, but its coarse texture may be too harsh for sensitive or compromised skin.

A gentle, natural wood powder that helps slough off dead skin and absorb excess oil, but lacks strong clinical research.

Limus is a gentle, seaweed-derived ingredient that may help calm irritated skin and support hydration, though research is still emerging.

Limus Extract is a gentle botanical antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is limited.

Linalool is a common fragrant component of many essential oils; it can cause skin sensitization in some people, especially when oxidized.

Linalool Dihydroepoxide is a synthetic scent ingredient that can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, especially when oxidized.

Linalool oxide is a common fragrance ingredient that can cause skin sensitivity in some people, especially when oxidized.

Linalyl acetate is a fragrant ester from lavender and other plants that adds a floral, calming scent to products, but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Linalyl anthranilate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, fruity scent to products, but it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Linalyl Benzoate is a synthetic fragrance ester that adds a pleasant scent to products, but its primary role is aesthetic rather than functional for skin health.

Linalyl butyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, fruity scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Linalyl Cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, floral scent to products but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Linalyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, fruity scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a floral, slightly fruity scent to products; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, lavender-like scent; generally safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Linalyl isovalerate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Linalyl Methyl Ether is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, floral note but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a sweet, floral scent but offers no direct skin benefit.

Linalyl propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, lavender-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A gentle, fragrant oil that softens skin and provides antioxidant benefits, but research on its specific effects is limited.

A gentle, plant-derived ingredient that helps calm irritated skin and provides antioxidant protection without common irritants.

A gentle, plant-based extract blend that may help calm irritation and defend against environmental stress, though clinical evidence is limited.

A gentle, plant-based ingredient that helps calm irritated skin and provides antioxidant protection without clogging pores.

A gentle floral water that can soothe and lightly tone the skin, but its benefits are mostly anecdotal and not backed by strong clinical evidence.

A gentle, plant-based extract that may help calm irritated skin and provide antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging.

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

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

A gentle, hydrating botanical water that can replace plain water in formulas, offering mild soothing and antioxidant benefits.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its skincare benefits is still limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich root extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.

Lindera twig oil offers a natural, aromatic option for soothing and antioxidant support, but its potency means it should be used in low concentrations to avoid irritation.

Lindera Umbellata Leaf Oil is a natural essential oil that adds a pleasant scent and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but it carries a moderate risk of skin irritation, especially for sensitive skin.

A gentle, aromatic oil from Japanese spicebush that may offer soothing benefits, but research is limited and it can cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A rare plant compound with promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but currently lacks broad human safety and efficacy data.

A mild, antioxidant-rich flower extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm minor irritation.

Lingonberry fruit juice is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps soothe skin and protect against environmental stress, but it is not a stand-alone treatment for serious skin concerns.

Lingonberry fruit water is a gentle, antioxidant-rich base that can help soothe and lightly condition skin, but its benefits are mild compared to more concentrated extracts.

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

A lightweight, antioxidant-rich oil that helps moisturize and protect the skin without clogging pores.

Linoleamide is a gentle fatty acid derivative that helps soften and condition skin, but research on its specific benefits is limited compared to its parent compound, linoleic acid.

Linoleamide DEA is a synthetic foam booster and thickener that can improve the lather of cleansers, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin and has raised some safety concerns due to its DEA content.

A foam booster and thickener for cleansers, but may be mildly irritating and potentially pore-clogging for some skin types.

Linoleamide MIPA is a synthetic surfactant that helps create rich foam in cleansers, but it may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps soften hair and reduce static, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and soften skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and soften skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that makes hair softer and easier to manage without weighing it down.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve softness in hair and skin products.

A gentle silicone-conditioner hybrid that smooths hair and softens skin without heavy buildup, but its complex name can be intimidating.

A skin-friendly omega-6 fatty acid that strengthens the moisture barrier and calms dryness without clogging pores.

Linolenic acid is a gentle omega-3 fatty acid that helps reinforce the skin barrier and soothe dryness without clogging pores.

A promising antioxidant that pairs fatty acid benefits with polyphenol protection, but research is still early and products are rare.

A gentle, dual-action ester that moisturizes and lightly exfoliates, making it a smart choice for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin with low irritation potential.

A gentle, oil-soluble vitamin C derivative that pairs antioxidant protection with moisturizing fatty acids, though research is still limited.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from linseed oil that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-dispersible emollient that softens skin and helps blend oil and water phases in formulas — generally well-tolerated and non-comedogenic.