Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

Ostrich fern extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

Oubaku extract is a gentle botanical with potential soothing and antimicrobial benefits, but human studies are limited.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that helps calm skin and fight environmental damage, but research is mostly lab-based.

Ouricury wax is a natural, plant-based wax that helps thicken and stabilize cosmetic products, offering a smooth, glossy finish similar to carnauba wax.

Ovalicin is a lab-made peptide that may help improve skin firmness and smoothness, but research is still early and it's not a proven alternative to retinoids or vitamin C.

Ovex is a synthetic peptide complex that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but independent research is limited.

Ovotransferrin is a gentle egg-derived protein that may help protect skin from oxidative stress and support a balanced microbiome.

Ovum oil is a natural emollient rich in fatty acids and lecithin, but its comedogenic potential and limited research mean it's best for dry, non-acne-prone skin.

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

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

Oxalic acid is a strong organic acid rarely used in consumer skincare due to its high irritation potential; it appears mainly in professional chemical peels or as a chelating agent at very low levels.

A gentle, lab-grown plant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich oil from a rare plant, but research is very limited—use with realistic expectations.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not well-established in human skin.

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

A gentle, plant-derived water that may offer mild soothing and antioxidant benefits, but lacks strong clinical evidence.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a tropical scent but offers no skincare benefits and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant ingredient from oxeye daisy cells that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research on its effectiveness in skincare is still limited.

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

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

A modified beeswax that helps thicken and stabilize formulas, but may be slightly more comedogenic than regular beeswax.

A plant-based film-former that helps create peel-off masks and absorb excess oil, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A natural wood extract with a warm, woody scent that may offer mild antimicrobial benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

Oxidized glutathione is a less active form of glutathione that may support skin brightening and antioxidant protection, but its effectiveness in topical products is still being studied.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fermented extract that helps calm and protect the skin with postbiotic benefits.

A gentle, naturally derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from lemongrass that may help soothe skin and fight free radicals, but research on the oxidized form is limited.

A modified wax that helps give lipsticks and creams their smooth, solid texture, but may clog pores for some.

Oxidized patchouli leaf extract is a fragrant botanical ingredient used mainly for its scent, but it has limited research on skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, plant-derived powder that helps control oil and improve product feel without clogging pores.

A gentle, positively charged starch that helps hair feel soft and smooth while reducing static and flyaways.

A plant-based biotech ingredient with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human studies.

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

A synthetic peptide that may help firm and smooth skin by mimicking a hormone signal, but research is still emerging.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect your skin from sun damage, but it's not a primary active in most products.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; safe for most at low concentrations.

A synthetic ceramide mimic that helps reinforce the skin barrier and lock in moisture, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A lab-made nucleotide that may help protect skin DNA from oxidative stress, but human skincare evidence is still limited.

Oxosuccinic acid is a gentle alpha-keto acid exfoliant that may help brighten skin and support antioxidant defenses, but research is still emerging.

A synthetic antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still limited.

A promising antioxidant ingredient that helps your skin make its own glutathione, but research is still emerging compared to more established antioxidants like vitamin C.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Oxygen in skincare is more about marketing than proven skin benefits; it may offer a temporary refreshing sensation but lacks strong evidence for lasting effects.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put on skin and hair, but offers no active skincare benefit.

Oxyquinoline is an effective preservative but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals; its use is restricted in some regions.

Oxyquinoline benzoate is a synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals and is less common in modern formulations.

Oxyquinoline Sulfate is a synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and is less common in modern formulations.

Oyster extract is a mineral-rich ingredient that may help hydrate and soothe skin, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still emerging.

A gentle, hydrating ferment that may help soothe skin and support a healthy moisture barrier.

A gentle, ocean-inspired extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, though research is still early.

A gentle, natural exfoliant rich in calcium and trace minerals, best for those seeking a mild physical scrub without harsh microbeads.

Oyster shell powder is a natural, mineral-rich exfoliant, but its sharp particles can be harsh on sensitive skin.

Ozokerite is a reliable, low-irritation wax that helps keep your lipsticks and balms solid and smooth, but it's a petroleum-derived ingredient with no active skin benefits.

Ozone is a powerful gas with antimicrobial potential, but its use in skincare is experimental and carries significant safety concerns due to its reactivity and instability.

Ozonized argan oil combines the moisturizing benefits of argan oil with the purifying potential of ozone, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still emerging.

A unique oil that combines castor oil's moisturizing power with ozone's potential antimicrobial benefits, but research is still early.