Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 26 of 626
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Surfactant

TEA-Laureth Sulfate

TEA-Laureth Sulfate

3.5

A milder alternative to SLS that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin as harshly, but may still cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

TEA-Lauroyl Glutamate

TEA-Lauroyl Glutamate

4.3

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes impurities while respecting the skin’s natural barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

TEA-Lauroyl Lactylate

TEA-Lauroyl Lactylate

4.0

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

TEA-Lauroyl Sarcosinate

TEA-Lauroyl Sarcosinate

4.0

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

TEA-Lauryl Aspartate

TEA-Lauryl Aspartate

4.0

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

TEA-Lauryl Phosphate

TEA-Lauryl Phosphate

3.8

A gentle, phosphate-based surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, suitable for sensitive skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

TEA-Lauryl Sulfate

TEA-Lauryl Sulfate

3.5

An effective but potentially drying cleanser that may irritate sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

TEA-Oleyl Sulfate

TEA-Oleyl Sulfate

3.8

A gentle, sulfate-based cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

TEA-PEG-3 Cocamide Sulfate

TEA-PEG-3 Cocamide Sulfate

3.8

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

TIPA Lauryl Sulfate

TIPA-LAURYL SULFATE

3.5

A mild surfactant alternative to SLS, but may still cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

TIPA-Laureth Sulfate

TIPA-Laureth Sulfate

3.5

A mild alternative to SLS/SLES, but still a surfactant that can be drying for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

Undecyl Glucoside

Undecyl Glucoside

4.5

A gentle, biodegradable surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Surfactant

Undecyl Rhamnoside

Undecyl Rhamnoside

4.3

A mild, sugar-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting the skin barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Surfactant

Undecylenamidopropyl Betaine

Undecylenamidopropyl Betaine

4.0

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, often used in sensitive-skin and baby formulas.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Wheat Bran Glycosides Blend

CAPRYLYL/CAPRYL WHEAT BRAN/STRAW GLYCOSIDES

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Surfactant

Wheat Bran Glycosides Surfactant

Lauryl/Myristyl Wheat Bran/Straw Glycosides

4.0

A mild, wheat-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Surfactant

Wheat Sulfonate Surfactant

SODIUM C8-16 ISOALKYLSUCCINYL WHEAT SULFONATE

4.0

A gentle, wheat-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Zinc Coceth Sulfate

Zinc Coceth Sulfate

3.8

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively with low irritation potential, suitable for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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