Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, hydrating microalgae extract that helps skin retain moisture and defends against environmental stress.

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

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in large human studies.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich plant extract that helps calm skin and defend against environmental stress.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from a rare Hawaiian succulent that may help calm irritated skin and fight free radical damage.

A gentle, ocean-sourced extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin, but research on its benefits is still emerging.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin and hair.

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A safe synthetic sweetener used in tiny amounts to improve taste in lip and oral products, but it offers no skincare benefit.

Potassium Acetate is a safe, low-irritation salt that helps control a product's pH and can support preservative systems.

A reliable synthetic thickener that gives gels and creams a smooth, non-sticky texture without clogging pores.

A safe, synthetic polymer that gives products a silky feel and helps them spread evenly without clogging pores.

A gentle, seaweed-derived thickener that gives products a smooth gel feel and can create a temporary tightening sensation on skin.

Potassium alum is a mineral salt that tightens skin and reduces sweat, but its safety is debated due to aluminum content.

A synthetic thickener that gives water-based products a smooth, gel-like feel; generally safe but not a functional active ingredient.

A gentler, more stable form of vitamin C that brightens skin and fights free radicals with less irritation than pure ascorbic acid.

A stable, dual-antioxidant ingredient that helps brighten skin and fight free radical damage without the irritation of pure vitamin C.

A gentler, more stable vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals with less sting than pure ascorbic acid.

A well-tolerated alternative to azelaic acid that helps fade dark spots, calm redness, and refine pores without irritation.

A mild, plant-derived soap that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle soap ingredient that helps create a creamy lather and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser derived from rice protein that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleansing agent that cleans without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, widely used preservative that helps keep your products safe from bacteria and mold without common irritation.

Potassium bicarbonate is a gentle pH adjuster that helps keep your skincare products stable and comfortable on skin, but it is not a star active ingredient.

Potassium Biphthalate is a lab buffer with no proven skincare benefits; it's rarely used in cosmetics and offers no direct skin improvement.

A gentle, food-derived ingredient that helps balance pH and provide mild exfoliation without harshness.

A gentle, plant-derived cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

Potassium borate is a synthetic salt used to adjust pH and preserve products, but it raises safety concerns due to its boron content and potential for irritation.

Potassium bromide is a synthetic salt used as a preservative, but it has limited cosmetic use and potential irritation concerns.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, especially in water or sweat.

A paraben preservative that is effective but controversial due to potential endocrine concerns; many brands now avoid it.

A gentle, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, effective cleansing ingredient that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A mild, plant-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Potassium caprate is an effective, plant-derived cleanser, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types if used in high concentrations.

A gentle, amino-acid-based brightener that helps fade dark spots without the irritation of stronger alternatives.

Potassium Caprylate is an effective, mild cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may be drying for very sensitive skin types.

A gentle, plant-derived cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively without disrupting the skin barrier.

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that effectively cleanses while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

A safe, effective thickener that gives gels and creams a smooth, non-greasy feel without clogging pores.

Potassium carbonate is a safe pH adjuster in tiny amounts, but can be irritating if used too high in leave-on products.

Potassium Caroate is a strong oxidizer used for bleaching and antimicrobial effects, but it can be irritating and is not common in everyday skincare.

A gentle, plant-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, plant-derived film former that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a comfortable, non-sticky feel on skin.

A mild, effective emulsifier that creates stable, creamy textures without stripping the skin.

Potassium chloride is a safe, common salt used to adjust product thickness and stability, not a star active ingredient.

Potassium citrate is a gentle pH adjuster that helps keep your skincare products stable and comfortable on skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived soap ingredient that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that effectively cleanses while respecting the skin barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting your skin's pH and moisture barrier.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that foams well and is ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

A mild, protein-derived surfactant that cleans gently and helps maintain skin and hair softness.

A mild, coconut-derived cleanser that also helps hair and skin feel soft, but its collagen content is too large to penetrate deeply.

A gentle, protein-based surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, protein-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping and helps reinforce hair strength.