Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, effective cleansing ingredient that creates a rich lather while being less irritating than many traditional sulfates.

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

An effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying for sensitive skin, but is generally safe when used in rinse-off formulations.

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

A gentle, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without being harsh, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

A gentle, soap-like cleanser that effectively removes oil and makeup without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good option for sensitive skin.

A gentle, biodegradable surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, animal-derived surfactant that cleans effectively but may not suit those avoiding animal ingredients.

An effective cleanser from animal fat, but may be drying for sensitive skin and raises ethical concerns for some users.

An effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying for sensitive skin; best suited for normal to oily skin types.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good alternative to harsher sulfates.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively but may not suit ultra-sensitive scalps in high concentrations.

A gentle cleansing agent that helps create a rich, creamy lather without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, coconut-derived ingredient that cleanses without stripping and leaves skin feeling soft.

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

Hexyloxodecanamide MEA is a synthetic surfactant that helps create rich lather in cleansers, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant from horse fat that cleanses without stripping the skin.

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

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

A gentle surfactant that helps create rich lather and improve cleansing without stripping the skin.

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

Isolaureth-6 is a synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle, foam-boosting surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin barrier.

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

A gentle surfactant that helps cleansers foam and remove dirt without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

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

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

Laureth ingredients help blend oil and water in formulas, but some types can be mildly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

An effective cleansing agent that can strip the skin's natural oils if used too frequently or in high concentrations.

Laureth-2 Acetate is a gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without over-drying, making it a good option for sensitive skin.

A mild surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may cause irritation for very sensitive types.

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

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

A gentle, non-stripping surfactant that cleanses effectively without disrupting the skin barrier.

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

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

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

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather while being much milder than traditional sulfates.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without being overly harsh, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

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

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

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

An effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying for sensitive skin; best for normal to oily skin types.

A mild, sulfate-free surfactant that effectively cleanses while being gentle on the skin barrier.

A mild cleansing agent that can effectively remove impurities but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, often used in sulfate-free and sensitive-skin formulas.

A mild surfactant that boosts foam and adds a silky feel, but its animal-derived origin raises ethical and allergen concerns.

Minoxapol 742 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in skincare, but may not suit ultra-sensitive skin at high levels.

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

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, suitable for sensitive skin.

A gentle surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without the harshness of traditional soaps, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

A gentle, effective surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a popular choice for sensitive skin formulas.

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