Beauty ingredients are plenty, so it's easy to get lost in all the terms we see on product labels. To help you navigate the technical side of beauty products, we created a dictionary for you. This covers all the definitions of the most popular beauty ingredients, plus their benefits.
A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is derived from the leaves of the Aloe barbadensis plant. You'll spot this plant extract with soothing and hydrating benefits, It also helps to moisturize the skin, reduce redness, and alleviate irritation.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is extracted from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa), which is native to the country of Morocco. Argan oil is commonly used in hair and skincare products because the ingredient is rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. It nourishes and moisturizes the skin, helps improve hair texture, and protects against environmental damage.
Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol is a plant-based compound that has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, and even out skin tone. It is said to have the same anti-aging benefits as retinol but without the risk of skin irritation and other side effects.
Biotin
Biotin, aka Vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in keeping the hair, skin, and nails and healthy. It is often seen in supplements that promote hair growth, strengthen nails, and enhance skin health.
Caffeine
Apart from keeping us awake in coffee form, caffeine makes us look alive! It helps reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes, fights inflammation, boosts collagen production, protects against sun damage, and improves skin texture.
Collagen
Collagen is a type of protein that is naturally found in the skin, bones, and connective tissues of the body. It is a popular beauty product ingredient used to improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines, and promote a more youthful appearance.
Dimethicone
Dimethicone is a common type of silicone that acts as an emollient. It forms a protective barrier on the skin's surface, which helps to lock in moisture and smooth out the skin's texture. It also has instant skin-smoothening or pore-blurring properties which is why it's often found in primers and foundations.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a popular essential oil that is derived from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree. It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and cooling properties, so it's commonly used to soothe irritated skin.
Emu Oil
Emu oil is from the fat of emus, flightless birds that are native to Australia. Emu oil has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be found in products that aim to soothe dry skin, reduce redness, and promote skin healing.
Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid is a potent antioxidant that is commonly found in grains like rice and oats. In beauty products, It enhances the stability and effectiveness of other antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and E. Plus, it helps protect the skin from environmental damage and signs of aging.
Glycerin
Glycerin acts as a humectant—it attracts and retains moisture. It helps keep the skin hydrated and prevents it from drying out. Glycerin can also helps the complexion feel soft and looking firm.
Glycolic Acid
Looks like sugar is beneficial to us after all. Its sugarcane derivative, glycolic acid, is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is well-loved as a chemical exfoliant. It removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and improves skin texture. Plus, this promotes cellular turnover, revealing a smoother and brighter complexion.
Green Tea Extract
Derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, green tea extract is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants. It helps protect the skin from UV damage, soothes inflammation, and may reduce signs of aging.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin. It is popular for being a great hydrating ingredient because it can retain moisture. (It can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water!) You can find hyaluronic acid in products that can address fine lines, sagging skin, and dehydrated skin.
Honey
Honey is produced by bees using flower nectar. It is rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and antibacterial properties. Honey is a great ingredient for soothing and wound-healing products. It also helps moisturize and boost the skin's radiance.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis). Its formula closely resembles the skin's sebum which makes it an excellent moisturizing ingredient. ICYDK, this oil helps regulate sebum production, soothe irritated skin, and maintain skin hydration.
Kaolin
Kaolin is a type of clay mineral rich in silica, found in various colors, such as white, pink, or green. It helps purify and detoxify the skin. It is used in oil-absorbing and pore-clearing skincare products, especially masks and cleansers,
Kojic Acid
Kojic acid is known for its skin-brightening properties, and it inhibits melanin production. It targets hyperpigmentation to create a more even skin tone and fades dark spots.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has soothing properties, making it an ingredient popularly found in skincare and wellness products.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from milk, and it acts as a chemical exfoliant to gently remove dead skin cells, promote skin renewal, and improve overall skin texture. Lactic acid is an alternative to glycolic acid when it comes to brightening and exfoliating abilities.
Madecassoside
Madecassoside is extracted from Centella Asiatica. It helps reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. This ingredient became popular during the lockdowns because it addressed maskne.
Mandelic Acid
Mandelic acid is a type of AHA that is derived from almonds. This chemical exfoliant slowly penetrates the skin, making it an ideal choice for those with sensitive skin.
Marula Oil
Marula oil is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins. It keeps the skin supple and moisturized.
Moringa Extract
Moringa extract is derived from the leaves of the Moringa oleifera tree, aka malunggay. It is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps protect the skin from environmental aggressors (pollution and sun damage) and soothes skin irritations.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, helps improve the skin's barrier function, reduce redness, and manage sebum production. Niacinamide is often included in skincare formulations to address concerns like acne, enlarged pores, and uneven skin tone.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is an excellent nourishing and protective ingredient for the skin. It helps moisturize dry skin, soothe inflammation, and provide anti-aging benefits.
Oat Extract
Oat extract is known for its skin-soothing properties. It contains beta-glucans, which help calm irritated skin, reduce redness, and provide a protective barrier. If you have sensitive or eczema-prone skin, look for a product with this ingredient.
Panthenol (Provitamin B5)
Panthenol another name is Provitamin B5, which is a water-soluble vitamin that is often found in skincare and haircare products. It moisturizes and strengthens the hair, improves skin hydration, soothes inflammation, and promotes skin repair.
Paraben
Paraben is a type of preservative. It helps prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast. There is no evidence that parabens have any beauty benefits, and some brands have refrained from including this in their formulas.
PHA
PHAs, or polyhydroxy acids, are a type of exfoliating acid that is similar to AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids. The only difference between PHAs from AHAs is that these have larger molecules so they can penetrate the slower and deeper. If you've sensitive skin, turn to this gentle chemical exfoliant.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid antioxidant found in various fruits, vegetables, and plants. It has anti-inflammatory and skin-protecting properties, and it helps neutralize free radicals and reduce redness.
Retinol
Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, and it is highly praised as a powerful anti-aging ingredient in skincare. It does everything: Retinol stimulates collagen production, promotes skin cell turnover, improves skin texture, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is a popular ingredient in anti-aging serums and creams
Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil is extracted from wild rosehip seeds. It is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Rosehip oil is found in skincare products that hydrate the skin, fade scars, and improve skin elasticity.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is your BFF if you've got oily or acne-prone skin. It is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates deep into the pores, helps dissolve sebum, unclogs pores, and prevents pimples and blackheads.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a nourishing bi-product from shea tree nuts. It is rich in fatty acids and vitamins. It helps improve skin elasticity, soothe dryness, and protect the skin's barrier.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties, It helps prevent + soothe acne and treat breakouts.
Turmeric
Turmeric extract contains a compound called curcumin, known for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It is used to brighten the complexion, calm redness, and even out skin tone.
Urea
Urea is a naturally occurring component found in the skin's NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor). In skincare products, synthetic urea helps attract and retain moisture. It also gently dissolves dead skin cells, which creates a smoother skin texture.
Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10)
Ubiquinone is commonly known as Coenzyme Q10. Although it has an intimidating ~scientific~ name, it is a naturally occurring antioxidant present in our cells, that is responsible for producing energy. This compound helps defend against free radical damage, improves skin firmness, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C can also be read as ascorbic acid in product labels. It is a potent antioxidant that is responsible for collagen synthesis and skin repair. It helps brighten the skin, fade dark spots, and protect against UV damage. Vitamin C is your go-to ingredient if you want a radiant complexion.
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Vitamin E, aka tocopherol, is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from oxidative stress and environmental damage. (Which is why it is found in this popular beauty supplement!) It promotes skin healing, soothes irritation, and improves the overall health of the skin. It is commonly found in anti-aging skincare products.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a natural astringent derived from the leaves and bark of the North American witch hazel shrub (Hamamelis virginiana). It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it effective in refining pores, reducing redness, and treating acne-prone skin.
Xanthan Gum
Xanthan Gum is a natural polysaccharide derived from fermenting sugar with the Xanthomonas campestris bacterium. You can spot this in food and beauty products as a thickening and stabilizing agent.
Ylang-Ylang Oil
Ylang-ylang oil is an essential oil obtained from the flowers of the Cananga odorata tree, native to Southeast Asia. (Yes, it's the ilang-ilang that is found in the Philippines!) It is commonly used in aromatherapy and skincare because of its sweet, floral aroma.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide is a mineral sunscreen agent commonly used in physical sunscreens and skincare products for its broad-spectrum UV protection. It reflects and scatters harmful UV rays. Zinc oxide is suitable for sensitive skin types. The only "downside" is that it sometimes creates a white cast on the skin.
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