Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A fragrant essential oil from Japanese cedar with some antioxidant potential, but limited research on skin benefits and a moderate risk of irritation for sensitive skin.

A fragrant essential oil from Japanese cedar with limited research on skin benefits; best suited for fragrance purposes in well-formulated products.

A gentle, plant-based water that adds light hydration and antioxidant protection, best for sensitive or environmentally stressed skin.

Cubeb Berry Oil offers antioxidant benefits and a warm, peppery scent, but its strong fragrance can be irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived extract that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging.

Cucumber extract is a gentle, water-rich ingredient that helps calm and hydrate skin, making it a popular choice for sensitive or irritated skin types.

Cucumber seed oil is a gentle, non-greasy moisturizer rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

Cucurbitacin B is a plant-derived compound with promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, but its use in cosmetics is still emerging and requires careful formulation due to potential irritation at higher levels.

Cucurbiturils are advanced synthetic molecules that help stabilize and deliver active ingredients, but their use in cosmetics is still emerging and not widely studied in everyday products.

A lab-grown plant antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but human studies are still limited.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress and support a more even tone, though human studies are limited.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that may help calm irritated skin, but research is still early.

A fragrant leaf extract with antioxidant potential, but limited human research and a moderate risk of skin irritation.

Culilawan leaf oil adds a warm, spicy scent to products but may irritate sensitive skin, especially at high concentrations.

A fragrant wood extract with antioxidant potential, but limited research and a moderate risk of skin irritation.

Cumin Fruit Extract offers antioxidant benefits and mild soothing effects, but research on its topical use is still limited.

Cumin Seed Powder offers gentle physical exfoliation and antioxidant benefits, but its evidence in skincare is still emerging and it may cause irritation for very sensitive skin.

Cuminaldehyde is a natural fragrance compound from cumin oil that adds a warm, spicy scent but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

Cuminyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a warm, spicy note to products, but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Cuminyl nitrile is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, spicy scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Cundurango Root Extract is a gentle botanical with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

A fragrant essential oil with limited research; best for those who enjoy natural scents but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

A lightweight, non-greasy plant oil that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores—great for oily or combination skin types.

Cupric acetate is a copper salt that may offer antioxidant benefits, but it is used in very low concentrations and can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Cupric chloride is a copper compound that may support skin repair and antioxidant defense, but it is used in tiny amounts and can be irritating at higher levels.

Cuprous oxide offers antimicrobial benefits but may cause irritation in sensitive skin; it's not a common everyday ingredient.

A deeply nourishing plant butter that hydrates and softens skin without feeling greasy, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A deeply nourishing plant butter that hydrates and softens skin without feeling greasy.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient derived from cupuaçu butter that softens skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient derived from cupuaçu butter that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, water-friendly emollient that brings the richness of cupuacu butter into lightweight, rinse-off and leave-on products.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from cupuacu butter that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit extract that helps soothe and hydrate skin without irritation.

A gentle, hydrating fruit juice rich in antioxidants that helps soothe and moisturize the skin without clogging pores.

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

Cupuaçu seed powder offers gentle physical exfoliation plus antioxidant benefits, making it a soothing alternative to harsher scrubs.

A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that helps stabilize creams and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A mild, coconut-derived surfactant that creates a rich lather while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

A fragrant citrus oil that can add a fresh scent and mild antioxidant benefits, but may irritate sensitive or sun-exposed skin.

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

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

A gentle, antioxidant-rich water from white turmeric that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Curcumin is a potent antioxidant from turmeric that may help calm redness and protect skin from environmental stress, but its bright yellow color can stain skin and fabrics.

A natural plant-based colorant that adds warm yellow tones but offers minimal skincare benefits at typical use levels.

A novel peptide-curcumin hybrid that may help firm skin and reduce fine lines, but research is still early.

A hybrid ingredient that pairs curcumin's antioxidant power with a peptide to calm and brighten skin, though research is still early.

Curly Mint Leaf Extract is a gentle botanical that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant protection, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

Curry Leaf Oil offers antioxidant benefits and a distinctive scent, but its fragrance components may irritate sensitive skin.

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

A natural red colorant from annatto seeds, generally safe for most skin types but may cause rare allergic reactions.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, though research is limited and it's best used as part of a broader formulation.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich fruit juice that may help soothe and protect skin, but research is limited.

A blend of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that may offer antioxidant and soothing benefits, but research on this specific mix is limited.

Cyanocobalamin is a gentle, synthetic vitamin B12 that helps calm redness and support skin barrier function, making it a good option for sensitive or irritated skin.

A gentle, plant-derived extract that may help calm irritated skin and provide antioxidant support, though research is still emerging.

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

Cyathusal A is a plant compound with early research suggesting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, but it is not yet widely studied or common in commercial skincare.

Cyathusal B is an emerging fungal-derived antioxidant with early research suggesting anti-inflammatory benefits, but human studies are lacking.

Cyathusal C is a synthetic peptide that may help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

Cyclamen Aldehyde is a synthetic floral scent that can cause skin irritation or allergies in sensitive individuals, especially at higher concentrations.