Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse away dirt without stripping the skin.

Sodium Rosinate is a natural foaming agent from pine rosin, effective in cleansers but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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

A mild, protein-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping and leaves skin and hair feeling soft.

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

Sodium Stearyl Sulfate is a mild cleansing agent that creates foam but can be drying for sensitive skin.

A mild, animal-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, but may not suit vegans or those avoiding animal ingredients.

Sodium Toluenesulfonate is a synthetic helper ingredient that keeps cleansers clear and well-mixed, but it can be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

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

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

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

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

A gentle, water-loving emollient that helps cleansers and creams feel smooth without leaving a greasy residue.

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that helps create rich lather and thicken cleansers, but may be less effective in hard water.

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping, but may feel heavy on oily skin types.

A mild, water-soluble cleanser derived from peanut oil, but not suitable for anyone with peanut allergies.

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

TAED is a synthetic bleach activator that boosts whitening and brightening effects, but it can be irritating and is not a standard skincare ingredient for everyday use.

A mild-ish synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping, but may still irritate very sensitive skin.

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

TEA-Canolate is a mild cleansing agent from canola oil, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

TEA-Cocoate is a gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but it may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.

A mild cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin.

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

A gentle surfactant that cleans without stripping, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

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

TEA-Lauryl Ether is an effective cleansing agent but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

A gentle surfactant that helps create a rich, creamy lather while being less stripping than many common cleansers.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that helps create a creamy lather without stripping the skin's moisture barrier.

TEA-Palmitate helps cleansers foam and creams feel smooth, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A mild, semi-synthetic surfactant that helps create a rich lather while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

A gentle, water-soluble surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, often used in milder formulas.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.

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

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