Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather and improve the feel of cleansers without stripping the skin.

PPG-2 Laureth-12 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse clean, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle, effective cleansing ingredient that helps products foam and rinse clean without stripping the skin.

A gentle, castor oil-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively with low irritation potential, ideal for sensitive skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that gently removes dirt without stripping the skin barrier.

A mild, protein-based cleansing agent that cleans without stripping and leaves skin feeling soft.

A mild, conditioning surfactant from sea buckthorn that cleanses without stripping the skin.

A gentle, water-friendly emollient that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but its PEG modification raises mild environmental and purity considerations.

A mild surfactant that helps create rich lather, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, naturally derived ferment that cleanses without stripping and may help calm the skin.

A gentle, plant-derived cleanser that offers a natural alternative to harsh synthetic surfactants, suitable for sensitive skin.

A mild, plant-based cleanser that foams gently and is less stripping than many synthetic surfactants, making it a good option for sensitive skin.

A mild, plant-based cleanser that creates gentle foam without stripping the skin, but may not be as effective as synthetic surfactants for heavy makeup or oil removal.

A gentle cleansing agent that helps bar soaps hold their shape and creates a creamy lather without stripping the skin.

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that cleanses effectively while being less likely to irritate sensitive skin than traditional sulfates.

A gentle, phosphate-based surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin.

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

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that cleans effectively while being less harsh than traditional sulfates.

A milder alternative to SLS that effectively cleanses but can still be drying for sensitive skin.

A gentle, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A milder alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate that still provides good foam and cleansing, but may still be drying for sensitive skin.

A gentle, effective cleanser that creates a rich lather and is less drying than many traditional sulfates.

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

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin.

A gentle, soap-free cleansing ingredient that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A mild, natural-origin surfactant and scent ingredient that helps cleanse and lightly fragrance products, but may cause sensitivity in those allergic to citronella or related botanicals.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively with less irritation than traditional sulfates.

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

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a popular sulfate-free alternative.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that cleans without stripping and leaves skin feeling soft.

A mild, protein-enriched cleanser that helps clean without stripping the skin or hair of natural moisture.

A mild, multi-tasking surfactant that cleanses without stripping and leaves skin feeling soft, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

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

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

A mild, soap-free cleanser that effectively removes dirt and makeup without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

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

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that cleanses effectively while being less harsh than traditional sulfates.

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin barrier.

Sodium Isethionate is a gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A mild, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

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

A gentle, effective surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A strong but slightly gentler cousin of SLS that effectively cleanses and foams, though it can still be drying for sensitive skin.

A gentle, soap-free cleanser that effectively removes impurities while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without the harshness of traditional sulfates, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle, effective cleansing agent that creates a rich lather without stripping the skin as harshly as some other sulfates.

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

A mild, collagen-derived surfactant that cleanses gently and may leave skin feeling soft, but offers no lasting anti-aging benefits.

A mild, polymer-based surfactant that boosts foam and reduces irritation, making it a smart choice for sensitive-skin cleansers.

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

A gentle, biodegradable surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin, making it a popular alternative to harsher sulfates.

An effective but potentially drying cleanser that may irritate sensitive skin, especially in high concentrations.

An effective synthetic cleanser that helps remove oil and makeup, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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

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

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

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