Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Ammonium sulfate is a common pH adjuster and mild cleansing agent, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin or scalp.

A gentle, plant-based cleansing extract that may also help calm the skin, but research is limited.

A mild synthetic cleanser that helps remove impurities but may cause slight dryness for sensitive skin.

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

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

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

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may be too drying for very sensitive or compromised skin barriers.

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

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

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

A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers work effectively, but may be drying or irritating for very sensitive skin.

A gentle, effective cleansing ingredient that helps remove impurities while being less harsh than traditional sulfates.

A common synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse clean, but may be drying for sensitive skin.

A gentle cleansing ingredient that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle fatty acid blend that helps cleanse without stripping the skin.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping, but may not suit ultra-sensitive skin in high concentrations.

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

Capric acid is a gentle fatty acid that helps cleanse and stabilize formulas, with mild antimicrobial benefits.

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

Caprylic acid is a gentle, naturally derived fatty acid that helps cleanse and stabilize formulas without stripping the skin.

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

A gentle cleansing and emulsifying ingredient that helps blend oil and water in skincare products, with a low risk of irritation.

Cocamide MEA is an effective foam booster and thickener, but it can be mildly irritating for sensitive skin and has raised some environmental concerns.

Coceth-10 is a gentle surfactant and emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

Coceth-25 is a gentle cleansing ingredient that helps mix oil and water, making it a staple in many rinse-off products, but it may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

Coceth-3 is a gentle, coconut-derived cleansing ingredient that helps products foam and rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.

Coceth-6 is a gentle, coconut-derived cleansing agent that helps products foam and rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.

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

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps lift dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

An effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying for some skin types, but generally safe and well-studied.

A mild, tallow-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping, but may raise concerns for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.

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

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

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

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

A gentle, PEG-based surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may raise environmental concerns due to its synthetic nature.

Disodium Sebacate is a gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it suitable for sensitive skin types.

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

Erucic acid is a gentle fatty acid that helps cleanse and condition skin and hair, but it may be slightly comedogenic for acne-prone individuals.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse skin without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

An effective cleansing agent from tall oil, but may be drying for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle, protein-based surfactant that cleans without stripping, making it ideal for sensitive skin and hair.

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

A gentle, non-stripping surfactant that effectively cleanses while being kinder to the skin barrier than traditional sulfates.

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without over-drying, but offers no active skincare benefits beyond cleaning.

A gentle surfactant that helps blend oil and water, making it a common but mild cleansing ingredient.

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

Lauric acid is a natural fatty acid that helps cleanse skin and may have mild antimicrobial benefits, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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

A mild, skin-friendly surfactant that cleanses without stripping, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin.

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

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive and dry skin.

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

Lauryl PCA is a mild, skin-friendly surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentler sulfate cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while being less stripping than sodium lauryl sulfate.

A gentle, coconut-derived soap ingredient that cleans without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentler alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin.