Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, with low irritation potential.

A gentle, nourishing oil rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A mild, plant-based emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in formulas while adding a silky feel to skin.

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

A mild, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures while being very gentle on skin.

A gentle, sugar-derived emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without greasiness.

Xylitol is a gentle humectant that helps hydrate the skin and may support a healthy skin barrier without clogging pores.

Xylityl Cocoate is a mild, sugar-based emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, making it a great choice for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

A gentle, sugar-derived humectant that hydrates without stickiness and may help strengthen the skin barrier.

A gentle, lightweight emollient that hydrates and helps control odor-causing bacteria, making it a smart choice for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A gentle, sugar-derived humectant that boosts skin hydration without stickiness, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

Xylobiose is a gentle, plant-derived sugar that hydrates and supports beneficial skin bacteria, making it a promising prebiotic humectant for sensitive skin.

Xyloglucan is a gentle, plant-based humectant that hydrates and soothes the skin while forming a protective barrier — a great option for sensitive or dry skin types.

Xylose is a gentle, natural humectant that helps hydrate the skin and may support collagen production, making it a good choice for dry or aging skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, making it a great option for sensitive and acne-prone skin types.

A synthetic antioxidant that helps keep skincare products fresh and stable, with low irritation potential.

Xymenynic acid is a plant-derived fatty acid with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and it's not a mainstream ingredient.

Yak milk is a gentle, nutrient-rich moisturizer that may soothe and soften skin, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still emerging.

Yarrow extract is a gentle botanical that may help calm redness and provide antioxidant protection, but its effects are mild and best for sensitive or normal skin types.

Yarrow flower water is a mild, soothing botanical water that may help calm irritated skin and provide gentle astringent benefits, but research on its cosmetic efficacy is limited.

Yarrow juice is a gentle, plant-based ingredient that helps calm redness and provides antioxidant protection, making it a good choice for sensitive or irritated skin.

A fermented blend of yeast and mistletoe that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research is still emerging.

A gentle fermented ingredient that may help improve skin texture and glow, but research is still limited.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help hydrate and soothe skin, but evidence is limited to lab studies.

A fermented ingredient that may support skin hydration and texture, but human research is limited and ethical sourcing is a concern.

A novel fermented ingredient with potential antioxidant benefits, but research is limited and it's not a proven skincare powerhouse.

A fermented blend that may help hydrate and smooth skin, but research is limited and benefits likely come from the whole formulation.

Yeast extract is a gentle, nutrient-rich ingredient that helps hydrate and condition the skin, but it's not a miracle cure for aging or acne.

A gentle, mineral-rich yeast ferment that may help hydrate and condition skin, but research is limited.

A gentle, fermented yeast ingredient that helps hydrate and condition the skin, popular in K-beauty essences.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that helps hydrate and support a healthy-looking skin barrier without irritation.

A gentle, fermented botanical extract that helps hydrate and protect the skin with antioxidant benefits.

A gentle, fermented botanical extract that may help calm irritation and support skin hydration, though research is still early.

A gentle, fermented yeast extract that helps hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier without irritation.

A gentle, fermented yeast ingredient that delivers magnesium to help hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier.

A gentle, biotech-derived ingredient that pairs yeast ferment with niacinamide to help hydrate, soothe, and support a healthy-looking skin barrier.

A promising peptide blend that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but more human studies are needed to confirm its effects.

A gentle, biotech-derived ingredient that pairs yeast fermentation with a peptide to support skin hydration and barrier function.

A novel fermented ingredient that may offer antioxidant protection, but research is still early.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help support skin barrier function and hydration, but more human studies are needed.

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

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

A widely used synthetic yellow pigment that adds color to cosmetics but offers no skincare benefits.

A widely used synthetic colorant that adds yellow-orange shades to cosmetics, generally considered safe in approved concentrations but may cause reactions in sensitive individuals.

CI 45350 is a synthetic yellow dye that adds color to cosmetics; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A common synthetic pigment that adds yellow color to makeup and bath products, generally considered safe for topical use.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but limited direct research on its cosmetic benefits.

A gentle plant extract with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is limited.

A gentle botanical extract with soothing potential, but research is limited and it may not be a standout ingredient for most routines.

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

A gentle botanical extract that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant support, though research is still emerging.

A gentle botanical extract with traditional use for soothing skin, but modern research is limited.

CI 11680 is a safe, widely used yellow pigment in cosmetics, but it offers no skincare benefits and is purely for color.

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

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but human skincare research is still limited.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but human studies are limited.

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

Yerba Mate Leaf Extract is a gentle antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress while providing mild soothing benefits.

Yerba Mate Leaf Oil is a gentle antioxidant-rich oil that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research on its topical benefits is still limited.

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