The grammar of a label
11 entries · every ingredient is one of these
Humectants Pull water in Emollients Fill the gaps, soften Occlusives Seal it so water can’t leave Actives The ingredient doing the work Exfoliants: AHA, BHA, PHA AHA, BHA, PHA — what’s the difference Antioxidants Defence against sun and smog Surfactants What makes a cleanser clean Preservatives (in defence of) Yes, you want these Fragrance One word, dozens of things Silicones Not the villain they’re made out to be Peptides Signals, not building blocks
What we’d tell a friend
Ten minutes here and every ingredient list you read for the rest of your life gets easier. It’s the highest-value reading on this site.
BYOUTPedia is educational content, not personalised medical advice. For persistent or severe skin concerns, a dermatologist beats any article, including ours.