A mild, naturally fragrant water from the manuka plant that can help soothe skin and provide antioxidant benefits without the intensity of essential oils.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Beauty ingredient research
Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.
20769
Reviewed ingredients
524
Low-concern standouts
2884
Need usage caution
A mild, naturally fragrant water from the manuka plant that can help soothe skin and provide antioxidant benefits without the intensity of essential oils.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Manuka oil is a natural antimicrobial ingredient that can help calm blemishes, but it must be used at low concentrations to avoid skin irritation.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A gentle, natural humectant that hydrates and soothes skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Maqui berry extract is a gentle antioxidant that may help protect skin from pollution and UV damage, but more human studies are needed.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Maqui berry juice is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may support a more even complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich leaf extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a more even-looking complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-packed oil that hydrates and protects without clogging pores, though research on its cosmetic benefits is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Mare milk is a gentle, nutrient-rich ingredient that hydrates and soothes skin, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, lipid-rich emollient that helps soften and condition the skin, but research on its unique benefits over other milk lipids is limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A fun, fragrant exfoliant blend for body scrubs, but its high salt content can be drying and irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
mixed
A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Marigold flower oil adds a pleasant floral scent and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but it can be a skin sensitizer for some people.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
Anti-aging agent
SR-(Tripeptide-68, Mussel Polypeptide-1, Mussel Oligopeptide-1, Mussel Polypeptide-1, Dipeptide-40)
A marine-inspired peptide blend that may help plump and firm skin, but research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A nourishing, plant-based butter that softens and smooths skin without feeling overly greasy.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may support a more even skin tone.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich water from maritime pine bark that helps soothe and protect skin from environmental stress.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may support a more even complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Marjoram flower oil offers a calming, aromatic experience with mild antioxidant benefits, but its fragrance components can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
Marjoram herb oil adds a warm herbal scent and mild antioxidant benefits, but it can irritate sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but limited high-quality human studies for cosmetic benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Marjoram leaf oil adds a warm herbal scent and may offer mild soothing benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A gentle, aromatic botanical water that may offer mild antioxidant and soothing benefits, but lacks strong clinical evidence for specific skincare effects.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Marjoram oil offers a pleasant herbal scent and potential antioxidant benefits, but its essential oil nature means it can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
Marmot oil is a traditional animal fat used for its moisturizing properties, but it lacks modern safety and efficacy data and may not be suitable for all skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based extract that may help calm irritated skin, though research is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research is limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, lab-grown plant extract that may help calm irritated skin and support hydration, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Marshmallow root extract is a gentle, plant-based ingredient that helps calm irritated skin and provides light hydration.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle plant extract that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant support, though research is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A lab-grown extract from marula tree cells that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though human studies are limited.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and supports a healthy-looking complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, water-soluble emollient derived from marula oil that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild, eco-friendly emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in your skincare while adding a touch of marula oil's nourishing properties.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, eco-friendly emollient that hydrates and helps blend oil and water in formulas without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, natural exfoliating powder that helps smooth skin without harsh microbeads.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Maslinic acid is a gentle plant-derived antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may support collagen health, though human studies are still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Masterwort Leaf Extract is a gentle botanical with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited and it's not a standout ingredient.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, water-based extract from mastic tree resin that may help calm irritation and provide antioxidant protection.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A fragrant essential oil with antioxidant potential, but may irritate sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived wax that adds structure and a smooth feel to balms and creams without common irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress while offering mild soothing benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Mastic Thyme Flower Oil offers antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its essential oil nature.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
Mastic thyme oil offers antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits but can be irritating for sensitive skin; use in low concentrations.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but human skin research is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract with potential antioxidant and soothing benefits, though research is limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Matrine is a plant-derived alkaloid that helps calm redness and irritation, making it a gentle option for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich ferment from a rare mushroom that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich mushroom ferment that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich mushroom powder that may help soothe and protect skin, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, lab-grown flower extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a more even tone.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, plant-based oil that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A nourishing, plant-based butter from Madagascar that softens and conditions skin, but may be too rich for oily or acne-prone skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle microalgae extract that may help calm skin and fight oxidative stress, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, biotech-derived ferment that may help hydrate and support the skin barrier, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, antioxidant-rich bark extract from the Amazon with emerging research on soothing and protecting skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A plant extract with promising antioxidant and soothing potential, but research in cosmetic use is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
MDM Hydantoin is an effective preservative but may irritate sensitive skin due to its slow release of formaldehyde.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
MEA-Benzoate is a synthetic preservative helper that extends shelf life but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic