Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

A gentle, multi-amino-acid surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A mild synthetic helper that keeps cleansing formulas clear and stable, but offers no direct skin benefit.

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

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

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleans effectively while being kinder to sensitive skin than traditional sulfates.

A common foaming cleanser ingredient that is generally milder than sodium lauryl sulfate but can still be drying for sensitive skin.

A moderately effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, but is generally safe in rinse-off formulas.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A mild, coconut-derived cleansing agent that helps clean skin without stripping its natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, plant-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather while being kinder to skin than many harsher cleansers.

Beheneth-30 Phosphate is a gentle, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses and helps mix oil and water without stripping the skin.

An effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying for sensitive skin, but is generally safe in well-formulated products.

A synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify oils without stripping the skin.

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

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

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.

A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin.

A gentle, non-stripping surfactant that effectively cleanses while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, effective surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle synthetic cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin types.

A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

An effective cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle, effective cleansing ingredient that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A mild synthetic ingredient that helps create a rich, stable lather and a creamy feel in cleansers, with a low risk of irritation.

A mild, large-molecule surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

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

Calcium Laurate is a mild cleansing and thickening agent, generally safe but not a star active ingredient.

Caprylamide MEA is a gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin, making it a good alternative to harsher cleansers.

A gentle, low-irritation cleansing ingredient that effectively removes dirt and oil while being kind to sensitive skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based ingredient that gently cleanses and helps calm skin without stripping moisture.

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

A mild, silk-derived cleansing agent that cleans without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

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

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant blend that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Cocamide MIPA is a coconut-derived ingredient that helps create rich lather, but it may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin.

A mild surfactant that helps create rich foam and leaves skin feeling soft, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

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

A mild, plant-based cleansing polymer that helps create a creamy, non-stripping lather — great for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create rich foam without stripping the skin.

A gentle, plant-derived surfactant that helps create rich lather while being kinder to skin than harsher cleansers.

An effective but potentially drying cleanser that may irritate sensitive skin; best for normal-to-oily skin types.

A mild, coconut-derived cleansing agent that helps create a rich lather while being gentler on skin than some traditional sulfates.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather and effectively remove dirt and oil without being overly harsh.

A mild, coconut-derived cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil while leaving skin feeling soft, not tight.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse clean without stripping the skin.

A mild coconut-derived cleansing agent that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but it's not a standout ingredient on its own.

A gentle surfactant that helps create a rich, stable foam while being less stripping than traditional sulfates.

A gentle surfactant that helps create a rich foam while being less stripping than traditional sulfates.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that boosts foam and cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

An effective foam booster and surfactant, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and raises ethical concerns due to its animal-derived origin.

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

A gentle, biodegradable surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin barrier.