Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, making cleansers and lotions feel smooth without heavy residue.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps moisturize and stabilize formulas, but may raise concerns for those avoiding PEG compounds.

A gentle, water-friendly emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin soft without a greasy feel.

A mild, eco-friendly emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions while adding a touch of skin-softening nourishment.

A mild, eco-friendly emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare formulas while also softening the skin.

A mild, eco-friendly emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions while leaving skin feeling soft.

A mild, eco-friendly emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in your skincare while leaving skin soft.

A mild, eco-friendly emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in your skincare while leaving skin feeling soft.

A nourishing, non-greasy emollient that helps restore the skin barrier and soften skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-based wax that helps lock in moisture and gives products a smooth, creamy texture without clogging pores.

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

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

A natural, physical exfoliant that sloughs off dead skin cells but can be too harsh for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Apricotamide DEA is a mild surfactant that helps create rich lather, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin and has raised some safety concerns due to its DEA content.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, plant-based conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve combability without heavy buildup.

Aquamarine extract is a trendy mineral-rich ingredient that may offer soothing and hydrating benefits, but scientific evidence is limited.

A gentle, natural exfoliant from crushed gemstone, but its benefits beyond physical scrubbing are not well-supported by research.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich natural exfoliant from coffee fruit that helps smooth skin without harsh microbeads.

A gentle, natural physical exfoliant with antioxidant benefits from coffee, but may be too gritty for sensitive skin if not finely ground.

A gentle, natural sugar that helps attract moisture to the skin without irritation or clogging pores.

A biotech ingredient that may support skin barrier function and soothe irritation, but research is still early and mostly from the manufacturer.

A gentle, plant-based humectant that hydrates and soothes, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

Arachideth-20 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in creams and cleansers, with a low risk of irritation.

Arachideth-27 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cleansers and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water but may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Arachideth-37 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps water and oil mix in your products, but it's not a star ingredient for skin benefits.

Arachideth-42 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived fatty acid that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas without common irritation.

Arachidonic acid is a natural omega-6 fatty acid that may support skin barrier function and reduce signs of aging, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and has limited research in topical use.

A gentle fatty alcohol that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

Arachidyl Behenate is a gentle, plant-based wax that makes creams feel silky and helps stabilize formulas without clogging pores.

Arachidyl Erucate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-stripping emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without irritating the skin.

Arachidyl Glycol is a gentle emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores, making it a safe choice for most skin types.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without common irritation or clogging concerns.

Arachidyl propionate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

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

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a calmer complexion.

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

A gentle plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and calm irritation, though research is still early.

A gentle, plant-derived extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, though research in cosmetics is still limited.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder from nut shells, best for physical scrubs but with limited research on its specific benefits.

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

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder from the seeds of the Brazilian pine tree, suitable for physical scrubs without harsh microbeads.

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

Arbutin is a gentle, plant-derived brightener that helps fade dark spots without the irritation often associated with stronger alternatives.

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

A stable, gentle brightener that helps fade dark spots and even skin tone without the irritation risks of pure hydroquinone.

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich ferment that may help protect and condition skin, though human studies are limited.

A gentle, lab-grown plant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but human research is still limited.

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and soothe irritation.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit water that adds light hydration and a touch of soothing benefits, but its effects are mild compared to more concentrated actives.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich Arctic plant extract that may help calm irritated skin, but research is still early.

Arctigenin is a plant-based antioxidant that may help calm irritation and protect skin from environmental stress, but human research is still limited.

Arctiin is a gentle plant antioxidant that helps calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.