Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, synthetic molecule that mimics natural skin signals to help calm irritation and support overnight recovery.

A lab-made peptide that may help firm skin and soften expression lines, but human studies are limited.

A synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften lines, but research is still emerging.

A synthetic peptide that may help firm skin and soften fine lines, but results vary and it works best in a consistent routine.

A synthetic peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, with low irritation risk.

Cow blood clot extract is a rare, animal-derived ingredient with limited evidence for skin benefits and significant ethical and safety concerns.

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

Cowslip extract is a gentle botanical with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

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

A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps soften skin and support the moisture barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle botanical extract with soothing potential, but lacks robust skincare research.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit juice that helps soothe and protect skin from environmental stress.

Cranberry fruit powder offers gentle exfoliation and antioxidant protection, but its benefits are best supported by whole-fruit research rather than isolated powder studies.

Cranberry fruit water is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that can help soothe and hydrate the skin, but its benefits are mild compared to more concentrated extracts.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress while providing light moisture.

Cranberry seed oil is a lightweight, antioxidant-rich oil that hydrates and helps protect skin from environmental stress without clogging pores.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder that also provides antioxidant benefits from cranberry seeds.

A gentle, natural exfoliant from cranberry seeds that also delivers antioxidants, but research on its skincare benefits is still limited.

A gentle, natural exfoliating powder from cranberry seeds that also provides antioxidant benefits, but research on its skincare efficacy is still limited.

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

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

A generic cream base is a common cosmetic vehicle that delivers active ingredients but its specific effects depend entirely on the formula.

Creatine is a gentle, naturally sourced ingredient that helps skin cells produce energy, potentially improving firmness and reducing fine lines with consistent use.

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

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

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

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

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

Cresyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds floral and fruity notes but may cause skin sensitivity in some people.

A plant extract with antioxidant potential, but limited research on topical benefits and a moderate risk of skin irritation.

A potent essential oil with antimicrobial potential, but high irritation risk limits its use in leave-on skincare.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress while providing mild soothing benefits.

A gentle, hydrating sap from a wild grape species that offers antioxidant benefits and soothing properties, but research is still emerging.

A gentle botanical extract with potential soothing and antioxidant benefits, but research is still emerging and it is less common in mainstream skincare.

A botanical extract with some antioxidant potential, but limited research and a known toxicity concern in its raw form require cautious use in skincare.

A gentle, plant-based oil that softens skin but has limited research and a moderate chance of clogging pores for some people.

A gentle botanical extract that may help tighten pores and provide antioxidant protection, but research is limited and it's mainly used for its pleasant scent.

A fragrant essential oil with mild astringent properties, best suited for normal to oily skin types but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A mild botanical extract that may help tighten pores and fight free radicals, but research is limited.

A fragrant botanical oil with potential antimicrobial benefits, but limited research and a moderate risk of skin irritation for sensitive types.

A gentle seaweed extract that helps hydrate and soothe the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Crocin is a gentle antioxidant from saffron that may help brighten skin and fight oxidative stress, but human studies are limited.

Crocodile oil is a rich emollient that may help soothe dry or irritated skin, but research on its benefits is still limited.

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

Croscarmellose is a safe, plant-derived binder that helps solid cosmetics hold together and break apart easily on contact with water.

A gentle, biotech-derived film former that helps lock in moisture and improve skin feel, though research is still emerging.

Crotamiton is a synthetic anti-itch ingredient that can help calm irritated skin, but it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Croton Eluteria Oil adds a warm, spicy scent to skincare but offers limited skin benefits and may irritate sensitive skin.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established.

A gentle botanical oil with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it may be comedogenic for some skin types.

A natural emollient oil from an African tree, but with limited research and a moderate chance of clogging pores for some skin types.

A gentle plant oil with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it may be mildly comedogenic for some skin types.

Crotonic acid is a synthetic pH adjuster with limited direct skin benefit and moderate irritation potential at higher concentrations.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and resist water, but offers no skincare benefit.

Crowberry extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that helps protect skin from environmental damage, though research on its specific cosmetic benefits is still emerging.

Cryolite Extract is a mineral ingredient with limited cosmetic research; its use is rare and may pose safety concerns due to aluminum and fluoride content.

A fragrant bark oil with limited research; best used in low concentrations for its scent rather than proven skincare benefits.

A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help hydrate and condition skin, but research is still emerging.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not well-established in skincare.