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

Erucamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Erucamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

4.0

A gentle, effective surfactant that creates rich foam 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

Fusel Wheat Glycosides

Fusel Wheat Bran/Straw Glycosides

4.0

A mild, biodegradable surfactant from fermented wheat that cleanses without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Glycereth-6 C10-18 Acidate

GLYCERETH-6 C10-18 ACIDATE

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Hexeth-4 Carboxylic Acid

HEXETH-4 CARBOXYLIC ACID

4.0

A gentle, synthetic cleansing agent that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Hydroxysultaines

Hydroxysultaines

4.0

Hydroxysultaines are gentle cleansing agents that create a rich foam without stripping the skin, making them a popular alternative to harsher sulfates.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Jojobamidopropyl Betaine

JOJOBAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE

4.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Lauraminopropionic Acid

Lauraminopropionic Acid

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Lauriminodipropionic Acid

Lauriminodipropionic Acid

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Lauroyl Arginine

Lauroyl Arginine

4.3

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Lauroyl Beta-Alanine

Lauroyl Beta-Alanine

4.3

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that effectively cleanses while respecting sensitive and dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Lauroyl Collagen Amino Acids

SODIUM/TEA-LAUROYL COLLAGEN AMINO ACIDS

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

Lauroyl Ethyl Glucoside

Lauroyl Ethyl Glucoside

4.5

A gentle, sugar-derived surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Lauroyl Glutamic Acid

Lauroyl Glutamic Acid

4.3

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting your skin's barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Lauroyl Methyl Beta-Alanine

Lauroyl Methyl Beta-Alanine

4.5

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without disrupting the skin barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Lauryl Hydroxysultaine

Lauryl Hydroxysultaine

4.0

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that creates a rich lather without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

Lauryl Sultaine

Lauryl Sultaine

4.0

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that creates a rich lather and is well-tolerated by most skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

Lysine Arganate

Lysine Arganate

4.0

A mild, amino-acid based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, suitable for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Lysine Babassuate

Lysine Babassuate

4.2

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Lysine Lauroyl Glutamate

LYSINE LAUROYL GLUTAMATE

4.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Macadamia Amidopropyl Betaine

MACADAMIAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE

4.0

A mild, coconut- and macadamia-derived surfactant that cleanses gently, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Magnesium Coceth Sulfate

Magnesium Coceth Sulfate

3.5

A milder sulfate surfactant that effectively cleanses but may still be drying for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Magnesium Laureth-5 Sulfate

MAGNESIUM LAURETH-5 SULFATE

3.8

A milder alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate, but still a surfactant that can be drying for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

Magnesium Laureth-8 Sulfate

Magnesium Laureth-8 Sulfate

3.8

A gentle, sulfate-based cleanser that effectively removes impurities while being less harsh than traditional sulfates.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Magnesium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

Magnesium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

4.5

A mild, coconut-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Magnesium Myreth Sulfate

Magnesium Myreth Sulfate

3.5

A milder sulfate surfactant that cleanses effectively but may still be too drying for very sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

Magnesium Palmitoyl Glutamate

Magnesium Palmitoyl Glutamate

4.0

A mild, amino-acid-based cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt and oil while helping skin feel soft and hydrated.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Magnesium/TEA-Coco-Sulfate

Magnesium/TEA-Coco-Sulfate

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

MEA-Cocoate

MEA-COCOATE

4.0

A gentle coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather while being less harsh than traditional sulfates.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

MEA-Laureth Sulfate

MEA-Laureth Sulfate

3.8

A milder alternative to SLS that still provides good foam, but may still be drying for very sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

MEA-Laureth-6 Carboxylate

MEA-Laureth-6 Carboxylate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

MEA-Lauryl Sulfate

MEA-LAURYL SULFATE

3.8

A mild sulfate-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil but may still be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

Meadowfoamamidopropyl Betaine

Meadowfoamamidopropyl Betaine

4.5

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Surfactant

Methyl Coco-Glucosides

Methyl Coco-Glucosides

4.5

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that effectively cleanses while respecting the skin barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Surfactant

Methyl Undecenoyl Leucinate

Methyl Undecenoyl Leucinate

4.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

MIPA C12-15 Pareth Sulfate

MIPA C12-15 Pareth Sulfate

3.5

A moderately gentle synthetic cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

MIPA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate

MIPA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate

3.5

An effective but potentially drying surfactant that may irritate sensitive skin; best for normal to oily skin types in rinse-off formulas.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

MIPA-Laureth Sulfate

MIPA-Laureth Sulfate

3.5

A mild-to-moderate cleansing surfactant that can be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

Myristamidopropyl Betaine

MYRISTAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Myristoyl Ethyl Glucoside

Myristoyl Ethyl Glucoside

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Myristoyl Glutamic Acid

Myristoyl Glutamic Acid

4.2

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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Surfactant

Myristoyl Methylalanine

Myristoyl Methylalanine

4.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

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