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

Myristyl Glucoside

Myristyl Glucoside

4.5

A mild, non-stripping surfactant that effectively cleanses while being gentle enough for sensitive and dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Oleamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Oleamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Oleoyl Ethyl Glucoside

Oleoyl Ethyl Glucoside

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Oleoyl Methylglucamide Oleate

Oleoyl Methylglucamide Oleate

4.0

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleans effectively without over-drying, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Oleyl Ethyl Phosphate

Oleyl Ethyl Phosphate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

PEG-8 Palm Glycerides Carboxylate

SODIUM PEG-8 PALM GLYCERIDES CARBOXYLATE

3.8

A mild, palm-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, but its PEG content and palm sourcing raise environmental and purity considerations.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

PEG-80 Glyceryl Cocoate

PEG-80 GLYCERYL COCOATE

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

PEG-80 Glyceryl Tallowate

PEG-80 Glyceryl Tallowate

3.5

A gentle cleansing agent that helps foam and rinse away dirt, but may be drying for very sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

PEG-80 Methyl Glucose Laurate

PEG-80 METHYL GLUCOSE LAURATE

4.0

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kinder to sensitive skin than many traditional sulfates.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Pheneth-6 Phosphate

PHENETH-6 PHOSPHATE

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Pineamidopropyl Betaine

Pineamidopropyl Betaine

4.0

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Polyglyceryl-3 Oleyl Ether Phosphate

POLYGLYCERYL-3 OLEYL ETHER PHOSPHATE

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Babassuate

Potassium Babassuate

4.0

A mild, plant-derived soap that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Camelliates

POTASSIUM CAMELLIATE

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Surfactant

Potassium Castorate

POTASSIUM CASTORATE

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Cocoyl Amino Acids

POTASSIUM COCOYL (ARGININE/GLUTAMIC ACID/ISOLEUCINE/LEUCINE/LYSINE/PHENYLALANINE/PROLINE/THREONINE/VALINE)

4.5

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that effectively cleanses while respecting the skin barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Cocoyl Barley Amino Acids

POTASSIUM COCOYL BARLEY AMINO ACIDS

4.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Cocoyl PCA

Potassium Cocoyl PCA

4.3

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that cleans without stripping and even adds a touch of moisture.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanserhumectant
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Surfactant

Potassium Cocoyl Proline

Potassium Cocoyl Proline

4.5

A mild, coconut-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting the skin’s natural barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Cocoyl Sarcosinate

Potassium Cocoyl Sarcosinate

4.3

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

Potassium Cocoyl Taurate

Potassium Cocoyl Taurate

4.5

A mild, sulfate-free 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

Potassium Hempseedate

POTASSIUM HEMPSEEDATE

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Lauroyl Glycinate

Potassium Lauroyl Glycinate

4.5

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting the skin barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids

Potassium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids

4.5

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while respecting the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Potassium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

4.3

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes impurities while being kind to sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Lauryl Aspartate

Potassium Lauryl Aspartate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Lauryl Phosphate

Potassium Lauryl Phosphate

4.0

A gentle, phosphate-based surfactant that cleanses effectively with low irritation potential, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

POTASSIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE

4.5

A mild, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Olivate

Potassium Olivate

4.3

A gentle, olive-oil-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Potassium Olivoyl Amino Acids

POTASSIUM OLIVOYL (ARGININE/GLUTAMIC ACID/ISOLEUCINE/LEUCINE/LYSINE/PHENYLALANINE/PROLINE/THREONINE/VALINE)

4.3

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant from olive oil that cleanses gently and is well-tolerated by sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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