Hey about to start alchemy for the first time as apparently its a good moneymaker. I didn't use it at all on my previous account so i hardly know anything about it. How are you supposed to know what ingredients makes what? Does looking online ruin the experience?

It does not break your experience if you do not allow it to do so. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Ingredients you can find all the ingredients in the game & more.