Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in products, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle emollient and emulsifier that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas without common irritation.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, but offers no unique benefits over more common alternatives.

A gentle emollient that helps soften and smooth skin by replenishing essential fatty acids, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, but may clog pores for some people.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without heavy greasiness.

A mild emollient and emulsifier that helps soften skin and blend ingredients, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

A reliable emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams, but it's not a star active ingredient for skin benefits.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without heavy greasiness.

A reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with a low risk of irritation.

A reliable emulsifier that helps water and oil mix into a stable, creamy texture without common irritation concerns.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put longer, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A silky, lightweight emollient that helps products spread smoothly without feeling heavy or greasy.

A natural fragrance compound from celery seed that adds a warm, spicy scent but offers no direct skincare benefits.

Propylparaben is an effective preservative but has raised safety concerns due to potential endocrine-disrupting effects, leading many brands to phase it out.

A synthetic polymer that coats hair and skin to reduce frizz, improve slip, and lock in moisture without heavy buildup.

A gentle, modified collagen that adds slip and softness to hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that adds softness and manageability to hair and a smooth feel to skin.

A gentle, positively charged wheat protein that coats hair to improve softness, manageability, and shine without heavy buildup.

A marine microalgae extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research is still early.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, best for those seeking natural, plant-based skincare ingredients.

Protamine sulfate is a gentle film-forming protein that can help condition hair and skin, but its benefits are mild and not well-studied in cosmetics.

A gentle, natural humectant from South African protea flowers that helps hydrate skin, but research on its specific benefits is still limited.

Protease is an enzyme exfoliant that gently dissolves dead skin cells, but it can be irritating if left on too long or used too frequently.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still emerging.

A gentle antioxidant that helps defend skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

A gentle antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may support a more even tone.

Protodioscin is a plant saponin with early evidence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, but human skincare studies are limited.

Prunasin is a plant-derived compound with early research suggesting soothing benefits, but it's not widely studied in cosmetics and requires careful sourcing.

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm irritation and defend against environmental stress, though more human studies are needed.

A gentle botanical extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich flower extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, non-greasy plant oil that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, making it a good choice for sensitive or acne-prone types.

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

A gentle, natural powder that can lightly exfoliate or absorb oil, but with limited research on its specific benefits.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract from Japanese apricot buds that may help soothe and protect skin from environmental stress.

A gentle floral water that may offer soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited compared to more established ingredients.

A gentle, naturally fermented fruit vinegar that exfoliates and brightens skin without the harshness of stronger acids.

A gentle, plant-based antioxidant extract with potential skin-soothing benefits, but research is still early.

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

A natural, finely-milled seed powder that gently exfoliates without harsh microbeads, making it a eco-friendly choice for smooth skin.

A gentle, plant-based oil that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, though research on its specific benefits is still limited.

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

A gentle flower extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet proven in human studies.

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

A mild, antioxidant-rich botanical water that hydrates and soothes, but with limited scientific research backing its specific benefits.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich leaf extract that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, though research is still early.

A gentle, water-like ingredient from flowering plum fruit that adds light hydration and a touch of antioxidants, but lacks strong clinical backing.

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

A gentle marine probiotic ingredient that calms irritation and strengthens the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin.

A microalgae extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support hydration, though research is still early.

A bacterial ferment extract that may help calm skin and support the barrier, but research is still early and the ingredient name can sound alarming.

A gentle botanical oil with early evidence of antioxidant activity, but more research is needed to confirm its benefits for skin.

Psicose is a gentle, natural humectant that helps hydrate skin and may offer antioxidant benefits, though research in cosmetics is still limited.

A gentle, plant-based thickener that creates a soothing gel texture, but it can feel sticky if used too high.

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