Peony flower water is a gentle, antioxidant-rich floral water that can help soothe and brighten skin without irritation.
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
Peony flower water is a gentle, antioxidant-rich floral water that can help soothe and brighten skin without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from peony cell cultures that may help calm and protect skin.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical that helps calm redness and support a balanced complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical powder that helps calm skin and fight environmental stress without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Peony Root Water is a gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical water that helps soothe and protect the skin, making it a great choice for sensitive or redness-prone skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that may help soothe and protect skin, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Soothing Agent
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract
A gentle botanical blend that may help soothe and refresh the skin, but its benefits are largely based on traditional use rather than strong clinical evidence.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Peppermint extract adds a cooling tingle and fresh scent to products, but can irritate sensitive skin if used too strong.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A gentle fermented ingredient that may help soothe and condition skin, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, lab-grown peppermint extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Peppermint leaf extract adds a refreshing tingle to skincare but can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
Peppermint Leaf Juice offers a refreshing, cooling sensation and mild astringent benefits, but its high menthol content can irritate sensitive or broken skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A gentle, lab-grown peppermint extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Peppermint oil adds a cooling tingle and fresh scent to products, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A gentle, aromatic water that can refresh and temporarily soothe skin, but its benefits are mostly sensory and mild.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Pepsin is an enzyme exfoliant that breaks down proteins on the skin, but its use in cosmetics is rare and not well-studied for safety or efficacy.
Irritation
moderate
Source
natural
A peptide duo that may help improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines, but human studies are limited.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Skin conditioning agent
Escherichia Coli Thioredoxin-1, Heptapeptide-20, Hexapeptide-40, Oligopeptide-113, Sh-Polypeptide-70
A cutting-edge peptide blend that may support skin firmness, but research is still emerging and the complex formulation makes it hard to evaluate.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Skin conditioning agent
R-(SH-POLYPEPTIDE-102 METHIONYL S-PENTADIPLANDRA BRAZZEANA DEFENSIN-LIKE PROTEIN)
A novel peptide-protein hybrid with promising but limited research; may help support skin resilience.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Skin conditioning agent
Octapeptide-22, R-Thermus Thermophilus Putative Esterase, Hexapeptide-40
A cutting-edge peptide and ferment blend that may support skin firmness, but its unique ingredients lack broad independent research.
Irritation
low
Source
mixed
A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific skin benefits is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, nourishing oil rich in oleic and palmitoleic acids that helps soften and protect the skin without feeling overly greasy.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Stabilizer
ETHANEPEROXOIC ACID/ALUMINUM ISOPROXIDE/TRIMETHYL-CYCLODODECATRIENE
This is a synthetic processing aid with limited direct skin benefit; it's rarely used in leave-on skincare and may pose irritation risks at higher concentrations.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based oil that helps soften and smooth skin without feeling greasy, though research on its unique benefits is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human studies.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-derived oil that helps soften skin and provides antioxidant benefits, though research is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A synthetic film-former that helps products resist water and last longer, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic fluorinated ingredient that creates a smooth, breathable film on skin, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Film Former
Butyl Acrylate/C6-14 Perfluoroalkylethyl Acrylate/Mercaptopropyl Dimethicone Copolymer
A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen resist water and last longer, but raises environmental concerns due to its perfluoroalkyl structure.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic film-former that boosts water resistance and wear time, but its perfluoroalkyl structure raises environmental persistence concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic ingredient that helps sunscreen spread evenly and stay on the skin longer, but belongs to a chemical family under environmental scrutiny.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic fluorinated ingredient that helps repel water and reduce frizz, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A coated mica that gives a silky feel and water resistance to powders, but its perfluoroalkyl coating raises environmental and health concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A synthetic film-former that helps lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier without feeling heavy.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic fluorinated compound that may help deliver oxygen to the skin, but its cosmetic benefits are not well-established and it is rarely used.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Film Former
PERFLUOROCAPRYLYL TRIETHOXYSILYLETHYL METHICONE
A high-performance film former that helps products resist water and sweat, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic ingredient that gives products a silky feel and helps them spread smoothly, but it's not well-studied for long-term skin effects.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Perfluorodecalin is a synthetic oxygen carrier that may temporarily improve skin oxygenation and radiance, but its cosmetic benefits are still being studied.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly and can enhance the feel of sunscreens and serums.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, fast-evaporating synthetic liquid that helps products glide on smoothly without leaving a greasy feel.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Perfluoroheptane is a synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a non-greasy, breathable layer on the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Perfluorohexane is a lightweight synthetic liquid that helps products spread smoothly and evaporate quickly, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic fluorinated surfactant that helps products spread and resist water, but its safety and environmental impact are not fully understood.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Film Former
ACRYLIC ACID/PERFLUOROHEXYLETHYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER
A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, especially in water-resistant sunscreens and long-wear makeup.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Film Former
ACRYLATES/PERFLUOROHEXYLETHYL METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER
A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but its perfluoro (PFAS) chemistry raises environmental concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread smoothly, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, volatile liquid that helps products spread smoothly and evaporates quickly, leaving a non-greasy feel—generally safe but best for those who tolerate silicones.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic liquid that helps products glide on smoothly and leaves a non-greasy, breathable film on skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A fast-evaporating synthetic liquid that helps products spread and dry quickly, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic oxygen carrier that may temporarily boost skin oxygenation and help other ingredients absorb better, but its long-term benefits are still being studied.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A high-tech silicone that provides a silky feel and water resistance without clogging pores, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Film Former
PERFLUORONONYL DIMETHICONE/METHICONE/AMODIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER
A high-tech silicone polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Film Former
PERFLUORONONYL OCTYLDODECYL GLYCOL GRAPESEEDATE
A novel film-forming emollient that helps products feel silky and spread smoothly, but research on long-term safety is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Emollient
PERFLUORONONYL OCTYLDODECYL GLYCOL MEADOWFOAMATE
A high-tech emollient that provides water resistance and a silky feel, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Surfactant
PERFLUORONONYLETHYL CARBOXY PEG-7 DIMETHICONE PHOSPHATE
A specialized silicone surfactant that improves water resistance and spreadability, but its complex chemistry and environmental persistence raise caution.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Film Former
PERFLUORONONYLETHYL CARBOXYDECYL BEHENYL DIMETHICONE
A high-performance synthetic ingredient that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Film Former
PERFLUORONONYLETHYL CARBOXYDECYL HEXACOSYL DIMETHICONE
A high-performance film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but it's a synthetic ingredient with limited biodegradability.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic