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

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate

3.5

A strong foaming cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, but is generally safe for normal skin types.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium C14-17 Alkyl Sec Sulfonate

Sodium C14-17 Alkyl Sec Sulfonate

3.8

A gentle, effective cleanser that removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it a good alternative to harsher sulfates.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium C16-20 Alkyl Sulfate

SODIUM C16-20 ALKYL SULFATE

3.5

A strong but effective cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, though less harsh than shorter-chain sulfates.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium C8-10 Alkyl Sulfate

SODIUM C8-10 ALKYL SULFATE

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium C9-11 Pareth-6 Carboxylate

SODIUM C9-11 PARETH-6 CARBOXYLATE

4.0

A gentle, synthetic cleanser that effectively removes impurities while being less likely to cause irritation than traditional sulfates.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium C9-22 Alkyl Sec Sulfonate

SODIUM C9-22 ALKYL SEC SULFONATE

4.0

A gentle, effective cleanser that removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it a good alternative to harsher sulfates.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Camellia Seedate

SODIUM CAMELLIA JAPONICA SEEDATE

4.3

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

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Caproamphopropionate

Sodium Caproamphopropionate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Caproyl Glutamate

SODIUM CAPRYLOYL GLUTAMATE

4.5

A mild, effective cleanser that respects the skin barrier and is well-tolerated by sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Caproyl Lactylate

SODIUM CAPROYL LACTYLATE

4.5

A mild, biodegradable surfactant that cleanses effectively while respecting the skin barrier — ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Caproyl Prolinate

Sodium Caproyl Prolinate

4.3

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Caprylyl Sulfonate

Sodium Caprylyl Sulfonate

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Cetyl Sulfate

Sodium Cetyl Sulfate

3.5

Sodium Cetyl Sulfate is a mild surfactant that effectively cleanses without being as harsh as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, but it can still cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

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Surfactant

Sodium Cocaminopropionate

Sodium Cocaminopropionate

4.3

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

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Coco Sulfoacetate

SODIUM COCO SULFOACETATE

4.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Coco-Sulfate

Sodium Coco-Sulfate

3.8

A coconut-derived surfactant that cleans effectively but can be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

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Surfactant

Sodium Cocoamphoacetate

Sodium Cocoamphoacetate

4.3

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while being kind to sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Cocomono glyceride Sulfate

SODIUM COCOMONOGLYCERIDE SULFATE

4.0

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a great alternative to harsher sulfates.

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Surfactant

Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate

Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate

4.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

natural

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Surfactant

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate

SODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE

4.5

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that effectively removes impurities while respecting the skin barrier.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate

Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate

4.5

A mild, 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

Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

SODIUM COCOYL HYDROLYZED RICE PROTEIN

4.5

A mild, plant-based cleanser that removes dirt without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

SODIUM HYDROGENATED COCOYL METHYL ISETHIONATE

4.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Cocoyl Lactylate

Sodium Cocoyl Lactylate

4.5

A mild, coconut-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

Sodium Cocoyl Methyl Beta-Alanine

SODIUM COCOYL METHYL BETA-ALANINE

4.5

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while respecting the skin barrier — ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Cocoyl Oat Amino Acids

Sodium Cocoyl Oat Amino Acids

4.5

A mild, coconut- and oat-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a top choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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Surfactant

Sodium Cocoyl Proline

Sodium Cocoyl Proline

4.5

A mild, coconut-derived cleanser that respects your skin barrier while effectively removing dirt and oil.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleanser
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