The popular gel plant is a commonly used ingredient known for its soothing touch & hydrating benefits. Due to its occlusive properties (see: Occlusive Ingredients), it's ideal to use after being in the sun due to its refreshing & cooling effects.

No, not the kind you'll find at happy hour. Alcohol in skin-care cosmetics has a variety of forms & purposes. These include assisting other ingredients with their emollient & humectant abilities.

You can thank aluminum for keeping you dry when you need to be. Known for its absorbing properties, aluminum is used in many antiperspirants & other personal care products.

These water-soluble acids can work well for people with drier skin thanks to their ability to boost skin's natural moisturizing factor. Exfoliates by removing dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. They may also help reduce visible signs of sun damage, which can result in smoother & brighter-looking skin. Popular AHAs are mandelic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid & citric acid.

Amino acids are the ultimate team players. They appear in many different forms & play a major role in your skin's overall health & appearance as they work harmoniously with other ingredients to be more effective.

Antioxidants can help protect against free radicals & environmental factors.

Common ingredients that are animal-derived include honey, beeswax, lanolin & carmine.

Originating from the South American Babassu palm fruit, this oil is filled with vitamins & fatty acids. Similar to coconut & avocado oil, it can be used to nourish dry skin & hair—lashes included.

Beeswax can create a barrier that not only protects the skin from environmental pollutants, but also act as occlusives to seal in moisture. Not to mention, it fights bacteria that can help improve the look of acne-prone skin & its anti-inflammatory properties are soothing.

Benzoyl peroxide is an exfoliating agent that can help improve the look of acne-prone skin by clearing out pores & preventing new breakouts. Slowly work it into your regimen to avoid irritation.

The oil-soluble acid unclogs pores, which may help to reduce breakouts. The most popular type is salicylic acid, which comes from willow bark.

Ceramides are lipids (fats) that occur naturally in the outer layers of the skin and are known for their ability to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. They retain water by binding skin cells together to prevent moisture loss.

Beyond firing up the grill, charcoal is known to be incredibly absorbent. This makes it great for oilier skin types, as the charcoal can draw out impurities from the pores.

Curious, orange you? Derived from citrus fruit, citric acid acts as an AHA (see: Alphy Hydroxy Acid) to exfoliate & brighten your skin's complexion.

Similar to charcoal, clay is known for its ability to draw impurities out of the pores which may help detoxify the skin. Clay also has minerals that can help to nourish the skin. Pro tip: use clay masks to work on an oily T-zone.

Extremely rich in skin-smoothing fatty acids, coconut oil is known for its extremely nourishing, moisturizing properties. Those with dry skin may benefit most from coconut oil as it acts as an emollient & reduces moisture loss in skin.

Naturally produced in your body, collagen works with your skin's elasticity. Supplementing your natural collagen production with skin care may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles & boost your glow.

If you thought cucumber was great in salads, just wait to hear what it does for your skin. Cucumbers contain hydrating & soothing qualities, which may help to brighten & nourish skin.

Instead of using artificial dyes, these products might be colored with plant-based ingredients you can actually pronounce such as beets or matcha—or not dyed at all.

Think of elastin fibers as “springs” that work with collagen to support your skin & give it its “bounce.”

We all want smooth, soft skin, right? That's the job of emollients: moisturizing ingredients that reduce that "tight" feeling caused by dehydration.

These are...wait for it…fats that derive from plants or animals & are used in cosmetics for their texture-enhancing benefits.

This makes scents: fragrances are natural or synthetic oils that lend an aromatic property to products.

Sorry, no political statements here: these free radicals are unstable atoms that accelerate skin aging. If there is an imbalance of antioxidants to fight them, it's called "free radical damage."

If you're sensitive to AHA (see: Alpha Hydroxy Acid) or BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) exfoliation, fruit enzymes are a great alternative. Why? Because they speed up the natural exfoliation of the skin for a brighter, smoother appearance.

Time to sing the praises of this herbal root that’s been used in East Asian medicine for centuries. It's known for its antioxidants & superb anti-aging benefits.

Glycerin can be used as a humectant, which means it helps to draw moisture in the skin & keeps your skin hydrated.

This type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs) is derived from cane sugar. It works to refine & rejuvenate skin & may help to diminish the look of acne scars & improve skin’s brightness.

Okay, here's the buzz: honey is called "liquid gold" in most cultures due to its rich, thick texture & multitude of skin benefits. Those with irritated skin may want to seek out products with honey because of its antibacterial & soothing properties.

We're getting superhero vibes from humectants, known for their ability to attract water from the environment (or air) & deliver it back to the skin!

Known for its ability to hold 1000x its weight in water. Think plump, like a water balloon: you fill a deflated balloon with water till it's nice & plump!