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 60 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

Coceth-7

COCETH-7

3.8

A gentle, coconut-derived cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Coco Glucoside Blend

Palm Kernel/Coco Glucoside

4.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Coco-Sultaine

Coco-Sultaine

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Cocoamphodipropionic Acid

Cocoamphodipropionic Acid

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Cocoaspartamide Surfactant

SODIUM DIETHYLAMINOPROPYL COCOASPARTAMIDE

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircarecleanser
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Surfactant

Cocobetainamido Amphopropionate

Cocobetainamido Amphopropionate

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping, making it a solid choice for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Cocobutyramido Hydroxysultaine

Cocobutyramido Hydroxysultaine

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kinder to sensitive skin than traditional sulfates.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Coconut-Stearoyl Amino Acid Complex

Sodium Cocoyl/Stearoyl (Alanine/Arginine/Asparagine/Aspartic Acid/Glutamic Acid/Glutamine/Glycine/Histidine/Isoleucine/Leucine/Lysine/Phenylalanine/Proline/Serine/Threonine/Tyrosine/Valine)

4.3

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, making it ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Cocoyl Glutamic Acid

Cocoyl Glutamic Acid

4.5

A mild, coconut-derived cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Cocoyl Methyl Beta-Alanine

Cocoyl Methyl Beta-Alanine

4.3

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Cocoyl Methyl Glucamide

Cocoyl Methyl Glucamide

4.5

A gentle, effective cleanser that works well for sensitive or dry skin, offering a creamy lather without stripping moisture.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Cocoyl Proline

Cocoyl Proline

4.5

A mild, coconut-derived amino acid surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Decyl Betaine

Decyl Betaine

4.5

A gentle, effective cleanser that creates a rich foam and is well-tolerated by sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Decyl Glucoside (C10-16)

DECETH-7 GLUCOSIDE

4.5

A gentle, non-stripping surfactant that effectively cleanses without disrupting the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Diammonium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate

DIAMMONIUM LAURYL SULFOSUCCINATE

4.0

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses effectively with low irritation potential, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Dihydroxyethyl Oleyl Glycinate

Dihydroxyethyl Oleyl Glycinate

4.0

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Diisobutyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate

DIISOBUTYL SODIUM SULFOSUCCINATE

3.8

A strong synthetic cleanser that effectively removes oil and dirt but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

Disodium 2-Sulfopalmitate

DISODIUM 2-SULFOPALMITATE

4.0

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Disodium Caproamphodiacetate

Disodium Caproamphodiacetate

4.0

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Disodium Capryloamphodipropionate

Disodium Capryloamphodipropionate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate

DISODIUM CETEARYL SULFOSUCCINATE

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Disodium Cetyl Sulfosuccinate

Disodium Cetyl Sulfosuccinate

4.0

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Disodium Coco-Sulfosuccinate

Disodium Coco-Sulfosuccinate

4.5

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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