Ingredients Glossary

Allantoin

A soothing ingredient commonly used in moisturisers and calming formulas.

Benefits: Helps comfort dry, rough or sensitive-feeling skin.

Aloe Vera

A plant extract used in skincare, body care and haircare.

Benefits: Helps hydrate, cool and soothe the feel of skin.

Alpha Arbutin

A brightening ingredient derived from hydroquinone, but used differently in cosmetics.

Benefits: Helps improve the look of dark spots and uneven tone.

Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins used in skin and haircare.

Benefits: Help hydrate, condition and support smoother-looking skin and hair.

Amodimethicone

A silicone used in haircare.

Benefits: Helps smooth frizz, add shine and protect damaged-feeling lengths.

Apple Cider Vinegar

A vinegar-derived ingredient used in hair rinses and scalp products.

Benefits: Helps hair feel clarified and shiny; best used in balanced formulas.

Apricot Oil

Benefits: Rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, phytosterols and naturally occurring vitamins A and E to help moisturise, soften and condition the skin and hair.

Argan Oil

A nutrient-rich plant oil used in skin, hair and nail care.

Benefits: A naturally vitamin E and fatty acid-rich oil that helps replenish moisture, improve softness and condition dry skin, hair and nails.

Ascorbyl Glucoside

A stable vitamin C derivative.

Benefits: Helps improve radiance and uneven tone with a gentler feel than pure ascorbic acid.

Ashwagandha

an Ayurvedic root

Benefits: traditionally used to help support stronger roots and hair follicles.

Azelaic Acid

A multifunctional acid used in skincare.

Benefits: Helps improve the look of uneven tone, redness, texture and blemish-prone skin.

Bakuchiol

A plant-derived ingredient often positioned as a gentler retinol alternative.

Benefits: Helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and improve firmness and tone, often suited to sensitive-skin routines.

Bamboo Extract

A botanical extract often used in hair and body products.

Benefits: Helps condition and support a smooth, glossy feel. Also provides delicate physical exfoliation to help refine rough, uneven texture.

Beeswax

A natural wax used in balms, lip products and creams.

Benefits: Helps thicken formulas, seal in moisture and create a protective feel.

Behentrimonium Chloride

A conditioning agent used in conditioners and masks.

Benefits: Helps detangle, smooth and soften hair.

Bentonite Clay

A mineral-rich clay used in masks.

Benefits: Helps draw out excess oil and leave congested skin feeling clarified.

Betaine

A humectant derived from sugar beet.

Benefits: Helps hydrate and reduce the feel of dryness or tightness.

Bifida Ferment Lysate

A fermented skincare ingredient.

Benefits: Helps support the skin barrier and improve the look of resilience and smoothness.

Biotin

A B vitamin used in hair, nail and lash products.

Benefits: Helps support the appearance of stronger-looking hair and nails.

Bladderwrack Kelp

Benefits: Provides minerals and antioxidants that help hydrate, soothe and support skin elasticity.

Blue Agave Leaf Extract

Benefits: Helps soften the skin, maintain moisture and support a smooth, hydrated finish.

Blue Tansy

Caffeine

A stimulant ingredient used in eye care, body care and haircare.

Benefits: Helps reduce the look of puffiness and supports a more refreshed appearance.

Calendula

Benefits: Helps soothe and comfort skin that feels sensitive or irritated.

Candelilla Wax

A plant-based wax often used as a vegan alternative to beeswax.

Benefits: Adds structure to balms, sticks and lip products.

Caprylic Triglyceride

Also known as Capric Triglyceride. A lightweight emollient derived from coconut or palm kernel oil.

Benefits: Helps soften skin and improve formula spreadability.

Castor Oil

A thick plant oil often used in lip, lash, brow and hair products.

Benefits: Helps condition, add shine and create a glossy finish.

Centella Asiatica

Also known as Cica. A botanical extract popular in calming skincare.

Benefits: Helps soothe the feel of stressed skin and supports barrier-focused routines.

Ceramides

Lipids naturally found in the skin barrier.

Benefits: Help support barrier function, reduce dryness and keep skin feeling comfortable.

Cetearyl Alcohol

A fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener.

Benefits: Helps soften skin and give creams a rich, smooth texture.

Chamomile

Benefits: Helps calm and comfort sensitive or irritated skin.

Charcoal

A porous carbon material used in masks and cleansers.

Benefits: Helps absorb excess oil and impurities from the skin’s surface.

Chlorella

Benefits: Offers antioxidant protection and helps replenish environmentally stressed skin.

Chlorophyll

Citric Acid

An AHA derived from citrus fruits, often used to adjust formula pH.

Benefits: Can support exfoliation and brightness depending on the formula.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

A gentle surfactant often used with other cleansers.

Benefits: Helps create foam and improve mildness in cleansers and shampoos.

Cocoa Butter

A rich plant butter from cacao beans.

Benefits: Helps moisturise and soften dry skin, often used in body care and lip care.

Coconut Oil

A rich plant oil used in body care and haircare.

Benefits: Helps soften, condition and reduce moisture loss, especially in body and hair products.

Coenzyme Q10

Also known as Ubiquinone. An antioxidant naturally found in the body.

Benefits: Helps support antioxidant protection and improve the look of tired or ageing skin.

Collagen

A protein used in skincare, usually as a moisturising film-former.

Benefits: Helps skin feel smoother and more hydrated, though topical collagen mainly works on the surface.

Copper Peptides

Peptides bound with copper.

Benefits: Help support firmer-looking skin and improve the appearance of texture.

Cucumber Extract

Benefits: Provides cooling, calming and hydrating benefits.

Cyclopentasiloxane

A lightweight volatile silicone.

Benefits: Gives slip and smoothness without a heavy residue.

Daisy Stem Cells

A botanical active that helps support skin exposed to everyday environmental stress.

Decyl Glucoside

A non-ionic surfactant derived from sugar.

Benefits: Gently cleanses and is often used in mild or sensitive-skin formulas.

Dimethicone

A silicone used in skincare, makeup and haircare.

Benefits: Helps smooth texture, reduce moisture loss and create a silky finish.

Disodium EDTA

A chelating agent used to improve formula stability.

Benefits: Helps bind metal ions that can affect product performance and freshness.

Ectoin

Benefits: Helps protect against environmental stress, dehydration and visible irritation while improving moisture retention.

Elastin

A protein used in some skincare formulas.

Benefits: Helps condition the skin and support a smoother surface feel.

Essential Fatty Acids

Benefits: Help replenish moisture and maintain softness and suppleness.

Essential Oils

Plant-derived aromatic oils.

Benefits: Used for fragrance and sensorial benefits; some can be irritating depending on concentration and skin type.

Ethylhexylglycerin

A preservative booster and skin-conditioning ingredient.

Benefits: Helps support preservation and gives formulas a softer feel.

Ferulic Acid

A plant-derived antioxidant.

Benefits: Often paired with vitamin C and vitamin E to support antioxidant performance and improve the look of environmental dullness.

Fragrance

Also known as Parfum. A blend of aromatic compounds used to scent products.

Benefits: Adds scent and sensory appeal, but may not suit sensitive skin.

Ginger Root Extract

Glycerin

A common humectant used across skincare, body care and haircare.

Benefits: Draws moisture into the skin to help keep it hydrated, soft and supple.

Glycolic Acid

An alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA, with a small molecular size.

Benefits: Exfoliates the skin’s surface to help improve radiance, texture, uneven tone and the look of fine lines.

Gotu Kola

Benefits: Helps calm the complexion and support firmer, more resilient-looking skin.

Green Tea Extract

A botanical antioxidant.

Benefits: Helps calm the look of redness and supports protection against environmental stressors.

Honey

A natural humectant used in masks, cleansers and moisturisers.

Benefits: Helps hydrate, soften and comfort the skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

A humectant that attracts and holds water in the skin.

Benefits: Helps skin look plumper, smoother and more hydrated.

Hydrolysed Wheat Protein

A broken-down protein used in haircare.

Benefits: Helps improve the feel of strength, volume and smoothness.

Iron Oxides

Mineral pigments used in makeup and tinted skincare.

Benefits: Provide colour, coverage and tint in foundations, concealers, bronzers and tinted SPF products.

Jojoba Grains

Benefits: Smooth, rounded particles that gently lift away dead surface cells without scratching the skin.

Jojoba Oil

A lightweight wax ester similar in feel to skin’s natural oils.

Benefits: Conditions the skin and helps maintain softness.

Kakadu Plum

Benefits: A vitamin C-rich Australian botanical that helps brighten dull, uneven-looking skin.

Kaolin Clay

A fine, natural clay used in masks and cleansers.

Benefits: Helps absorb oil and leave skin feeling clean and refined.

Keratin

A protein naturally found in hair and nails.

Benefits: Helps hair feel smoother, stronger and less frizzy.

Kojic Acid

A brightening ingredient derived from fungi or fermentation processes.

Benefits: Helps visibly brighten and improve the look of uneven tone.

Lactic Acid

A gentle AHA naturally found in milk and produced synthetically for skincare.

Benefits: Helps smooth, brighten and hydrate while exfoliating the skin’s surface.

Lactobacillus Ferment

A fermented ingredient used in barrier and glow-focused skincare.

Benefits: Helps condition skin and support a healthy-looking complexion.

Licorice Root

A botanical extract commonly used in brightening formulas.

Benefits: Helps improve the appearance of uneven tone and dullness.

Mandelic Acid

A larger-molecule AHA derived from bitter almonds.

Benefits: Gently exfoliates and helps improve the look of dullness, texture and uneven tone.

Mango Seed Butter

Benefits: Replenishes moisture and helps soften rough or chapped areas.

Marula Oil

A lightweight plant oil rich in fatty acids.

Benefits: Helps soften, smooth and support glowing skin.

Matcha Green Tea

Benefits: Provides antioxidant support and helps soothe visible signs of stress.

Meadowfoam Seed Oil

Benefits: Helps lock in moisture and support soft, supple skin.

Menthol

A cooling ingredient used in scalp, body and lip products.

Benefits: Creates a fresh, cooling sensation.

Mica

A mineral used in makeup and illuminating skincare.

Benefits: Adds shimmer, glow and light-reflecting radiance.

Niacinamide

A form of vitamin B3 used in skincare.

Benefits: Supports the skin barrier, helps improve the look of uneven tone, visible pores, dullness and excess oil.

Oat Extract

Also known as Colloidal Oatmeal. A finely milled oat ingredient used in soothing formulas.

Benefits: Helps calm, comfort and moisturise dry or sensitive-feeling skin.

Oat Milk

Olive Oil

Benefits: Rich in emollients and antioxidants that help soften and condition.

Olive Squalane

Benefits: Helps replenish moisture and support soft, supple skin.

Panthenol

Also known as provitamin B5.

Benefits: Helps soothe, hydrate and support the skin barrier; also used in haircare for softness and manageability.

Peach Extract

Peptides

Short chains of amino acids used in skincare.

Benefits: Help skin look firmer, smoother and more resilient.

Petrolatum

An occlusive moisturising ingredient.

Benefits: Helps seal in moisture and protect very dry or compromised-feeling skin.

PHA

Also known as Gluconolactone. A polyhydroxy acid with a larger molecular size than AHAs.

Benefits: Gently exfoliates while helping skin feel hydrated and comfortable.

Phenoxyethanol

A common preservative used in cosmetics.

Benefits: Helps keep formulas fresh and reduce microbial growth.

Physavie®

Benefits: A plant-derived active that helps support stressed skin, reduce the appearance of redness and promote a more resilient-looking barrier.

Pineapple Oil

Benefits: Contains naturally occurring bromelain, an enzyme associated with gentle exfoliation and a brighter, smoother-looking complexion.

Polyglyceryl Esters

Plant-derived emulsifiers used to blend oil and water.

Benefits: Help create stable, elegant textures in creams and lotions.

Polyquats

Also known as Quaternium Compounds. Conditioning agents used in haircare.

Benefits: Help detangle, reduce static and improve softness.

Potassium Sorbate

A preservative often used in natural-leaning formulas.

Benefits: Helps protect formulas from spoilage.

Prebiotics

Prickly Pear Oil

A plant oil rich in fatty acids.

Benefits: Helps nourish, soften and add glow to dry or dull skin.

Probiotics

Also known as Ferments. Ingredients derived from fermentation or probiotic-inspired skincare.

Benefits: Help support a balanced-feeling skin barrier and improve the look of radiance.

Propolis Extract

A bee-derived resin used in skincare.

Benefits: Helps nourish and soothe the feel of skin; avoid if allergic to bee products.

Pumice

Raspberry Seed Oil

Benefits: Replenishes moisture and supports a soft, healthy-looking finish.

Resveratrol

An antioxidant found in grapes and some plants.

Benefits: Helps defend against environmental stressors and support brighter-looking skin.

Retinal

Also known as Retinaldehyde. A vitamin A derivative, one conversion step closer to retinoic acid than retinol.

Benefits: Helps refine texture, support smoother-looking skin and improve the look of visible ageing.

Retinol

A vitamin A derivative commonly used in anti-ageing skincare.

Benefits: Helps improve the appearance of fine lines, texture, uneven tone and congestion. Retinoids are widely recognised by dermatologists for ageing, acne-prone skin, dark spots and pores.

Rice Bran Extract

A botanical extract used in brightening and softening products.

Benefits: Helps improve the look of dullness and support a smoother complexion.

Rice Powder

Benefits: Gently exfoliates and absorbs excess oil to help refine texture and balance the complexion.

Rice Protein

A plant-derived protein used in haircare.

Benefits: Helps add body, softness and a fuller feel.

Rose Water

A fragrant botanical water.

Benefits: Helps refresh, lightly hydrate and add a sensorial element to formulas.

Rosehip Oil

A plant oil rich in fatty acids.

Benefits: Helps nourish skin and improve the look of dullness, dryness and uneven texture.

Rosella Extract

Benefits: Provides antioxidant support and helps promote natural radiance.

Rosemary Leaf Extract

Benefits: Provides antioxidant support and helps condition.

Salicylic Acid

A beta hydroxy acid, or BHA, that is oil-soluble.

Benefits: Helps exfoliate inside the pore, making it useful for oily, congested and blemish-prone skin. For hair, helps lift buildup and flakes from the scalp surface.

Shea Butter

A rich plant butter from the shea nut.

Benefits: Deeply nourishes and helps prevent moisture loss.

Silica

A mineral-derived powder used in makeup and skincare.

Benefits: Helps absorb oil, blur the look of texture and create a soft-focus finish.

Silk Protein

A protein used in hair and skincare.

Benefits: Helps add softness, smoothness and a silky feel.

Snail Mucin

A secretion filtrate used in Korean skincare.

Benefits: Helps hydrate, soften and support the look of smoother, bouncier skin.

Snow Mushroom

Benefits: Draws moisture into the skin to support a hydrated, plump and smooth appearance.

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

A water-soluble vitamin C derivative.

Benefits: Helps brighten the complexion and support clearer-looking skin.

Sodium Benzoate

A preservative used in water-based formulas.

Benefits: Helps maintain product freshness and stability.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Also known as SLES. A milder foaming surfactant than SLS.

Benefits: Cleanses and creates foam in shampoos, body washes and cleansers.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Also known as SLS. A cleansing surfactant used in foaming products.

Benefits: Creates a rich lather and removes oil, though it can feel stripping for some skin and hair types.

Sodium PCA

A humectant that forms part of the skin’s natural moisturising factors.

Benefits: Helps attract moisture and keep skin feeling hydrated.

Squalane

A lightweight emollient, usually plant-derived.

Benefits: Helps soften skin, reduce moisture loss and support a smooth, non-greasy finish.

Stearic Acid

A fatty acid used in creams, lotions and cleansers.

Benefits: Helps thicken formulas and soften the skin.

Sunflower Seed Oil

A plant oil rich in linoleic acid.

Benefits: Helps support the skin barrier and soften dry skin.

Tea Tree Oil

An essential oil commonly used in blemish-focused skincare.

Benefits: Helps purify the feel of skin, but can be irritating for sensitive skin if overused.

Titanium Dioxide

A mineral pigment and UV filter depending on product type.

Benefits: Used for opacity, coverage and brightness in cosmetics; in sunscreens, it can help provide UV protection when formulated and regulated as an active sunscreen ingredient.

Tranexamic Acid

A synthetic brightening ingredient used in tone-evening skincare.

Benefits: Helps improve the look of discolouration and uneven skin tone.

Trehalose

A sugar-derived humectant.

Benefits: Helps skin retain moisture and feel more comfortable.

Tremella Mushroom Extract

A mushroom-derived humectant.

Benefits: Helps hydrate and give skin a plumper, dewier appearance.

Urea

A moisturising compound naturally found in the skin.

Benefits: Helps hydrate and soften rough, dry skin.

Vitamin C

Also known as Ascorbic Acid. A potent antioxidant used in brightening skincare.

Benefits: Helps brighten dull skin, improve the look of uneven tone and support antioxidant protection.

Vitamin E

Also known as Tocopherol. An antioxidant often used in skincare, body care and haircare.

Benefits: Helps condition skin, support the skin barrier and protect formulas from oxidation.

Vitamin F

Witch Hazel

A botanical astringent.

Benefits: Helps skin feel toned and refreshed, especially in oily-skin formulas.

Zinc Oxide

A mineral ingredient used in cosmetics and sunscreen products.

Benefits: Can provide opacity and soothing skin feel in cosmetics; in sunscreen, it helps protect from UV when correctly formulated and regulated.

Zinc PCA

A zinc salt often used in products for oily skin.

Benefits: Helps balance the look of oiliness and support clearer-looking skin.