Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions while leaving skin feeling soft.

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

Lipase is a gentle enzyme exfoliant that breaks down sebum and dead skin cells, making it ideal for oily or congested skin without harsh scrubbing.

A fragrant botanical oil with some antioxidant potential, but limited research on skincare benefits and a moderate risk of skin irritation.

Lippia origanoides oil offers antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, but its strong fragrance and potential for irritation mean it's best used in low concentrations and not for sensitive skin.

A gentle licorice-derived antioxidant that helps calm redness and even out skin tone without irritation.

A gentle licorice-derived antioxidant that helps calm skin and even out tone without irritation.

A gentle plant extract that may help calm irritation and support skin hydration, though research is still early.

Liriope root extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical that may help calm skin and support hydration, though human research is still limited.

A gentle Amazonian wood extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not well-established.

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

Lithium carbonate is an emerging skincare mineral that may help calm irritation and support skin barrier function, but research is still early.

Lithium chloride is a synthetic salt with humectant properties, but it is rarely used in mainstream skincare due to potential irritation and limited research on cosmetic benefits.

Lithium Gluconate is a gentle, emerging ingredient that may help calm irritation and support the skin barrier, but research is still limited.

A synthetic nucleotide with theoretical cell-energy benefits, but lacks robust human studies and may cause irritation at higher concentrations.

Lithium hydroxide is a strong alkali used to adjust pH in some hair relaxers and soaps, but it can be irritating at high concentrations.

Lithium Myristate is a synthetic thickener that helps give lipsticks and balms a smooth, stable texture, but it has no direct skin benefit and is rarely used in water-based skincare.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put, but with limited research on long-term skin effects.

A safe, non-irritating pigment blend that provides color and coverage, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic mineral pigment that adds color and a soft-focus effect to makeup, but offers no skincare benefits.

Lithium Stearate is a safe, synthetic thickener that helps give cosmetics a smooth, stable texture, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it's often paired with other active ingredients.

A gentle, mineral-rich exfoliant from red algae that polishes skin without harsh microbeads.

Litsea cubeba fruit oil adds a fresh citrus scent and may help with mild antimicrobial benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

A fragrant botanical extract with antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, but its strong essential oil content may irritate sensitive skin.

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

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

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

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

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves manageability without heavy buildup.

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

Loess is a gentle, natural silt that can absorb excess oil and provide a smooth texture, but it lacks strong scientific backing for skincare benefits.

Loess extract is a gentle, mineral-rich sediment that can help absorb excess oil and soothe skin, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still emerging.

Logwood extract is a natural pigment and antioxidant, but its skincare benefits are less studied than its coloring ability.

A gentle, plant-based oil that hydrates and softens skin without feeling greasy, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.

Longan fruit extract is a gentle antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research on its topical benefits is still limited.

A gentle plant-based antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

Longifolene is a natural pine-derived fragrance compound with some emerging research on anti-inflammatory benefits, but its primary role in skincare is scent.

A gentle plant-based exfoliant that helps smooth skin without harsh scrubbing, but research on its benefits is still limited.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant with limited research, best used as a supporting ingredient in soothing formulations.

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

A gentle botanical powder that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant benefits, but research is still early.

A gentle, lab-grown plant cell ingredient that may help calm and protect skin, but research is still early.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder from loquat seeds, best for physical scrubs and masks, but research on its skincare benefits is still limited.

A gentle botanical blend that may help calm skin and fight oxidative stress, but research is still early.

A nutrient-rich botanical blend that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a healthy glow, though human studies are limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical blend that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress.

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant from lotus stem cells that may help calm and protect skin, though human studies are limited.

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

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

A gentle fermented lotus extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though human studies are limited.

Lotus flower extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical that helps soothe and hydrate skin without irritation.

A gentle, naturally fragrant oil that hydrates and soothes skin, but scientific evidence for its unique benefits is still limited.

A gentle botanical powder that can help calm skin and provide mild antioxidant protection, but its benefits are modest compared to more concentrated extracts.

Lotus flower water is a mild, hydrating botanical water that soothes skin and adds a subtle floral scent, but its benefits beyond basic moisture are not strongly backed by research.

A gentle, plant-derived wax that adds a smooth, non-greasy feel to lip and skin products, with low irritation potential.

A gentle, water-like juice from the lotus plant that hydrates and provides antioxidant protection, ideal for sensitive or dehydrated skin.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from lotus seeds that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a calm, even-looking complexion.

A gentle, lab-grown lotus ingredient that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fermented ingredient that may help soothe skin and protect against environmental stress, though human studies are limited.