Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A moderately gentle sulfate surfactant that effectively removes dirt and oil but may still be drying for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle, natural cleansing ingredient derived from tallow that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin.

A mild cleansing agent with antimicrobial properties, best for rinse-off products and acne-prone skin.

A mild cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but is rarely used alone in modern formulations.

A strong foaming cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, but is effective at removing oil and buildup.

Myristic acid is a natural fatty acid that helps create a foamy lather in cleansers, but it can be drying or clog pores for some skin types.

Oleoyl sarcosine is a mild, amino-acid-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being gentle on the skin barrier.

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

A gentle, effective cleansing ingredient that helps remove dirt and oil 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, non-stripping surfactant derived from soybean oil that effectively cleanses while respecting the skin barrier.

A gentle, PEG-modified cocoa butter derivative that helps cleanse without stripping the skin.

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

A gentle, castor-oil-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a solid choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

Pelargonic acid is a mild fatty acid that helps cleanse and adjust pH, but can be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

Poloxamine 707 is a mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle soap ingredient that helps create a creamy lather and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

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

Potassium caprate is an effective, plant-derived cleanser, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types if used in high concentrations.

Potassium Caprylate is an effective, mild cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may be drying for very sensitive skin types.

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

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

A mild, plant-derived cleanser that effectively removes oil-based impurities while being gentle on the skin.

A gentle, lanolin-derived cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may be comedogenic for some.

An effective but potentially drying cleanser best suited for oily skin types and rinse-off formulas.

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

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

Potassium Linoleate is an effective, gentle cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying for very sensitive or dry skin types.

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

Potassium oleate is an effective cleanser and emulsifier, but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin due to its high pH.

A natural soap-making ingredient that effectively cleanses but can be drying for some skin types.

An effective but potentially drying cleanser derived from palm oil, best for normal to oily skin types.

An effective cleanser that can be drying for some skin types, best suited for normal to oily skin in rinse-off products.

A mild, plant-derived soap that cleanses effectively while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Potassium Tallowate is a traditional soap ingredient that effectively cleanses but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Potassium undecylenate is an effective cleanser with mild antimicrobial properties, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types.

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

A gentle, plant-derived surfactant that creates a mild foam and cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, plant-derived surfactant from the Chilean soapbark tree that cleanses without stripping the skin.

A gentle, plant-derived cleansing ingredient with a pleasant rose-like scent, best suited for rinse-off products.

A mild botanical extract that can help cleanse skin without stripping it, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

A mild, plant-based cleanser that foams naturally and is generally well-tolerated, but may be drying for some skin types.

Sodium Arachidate is a mild soap ingredient that helps cleanse and emulsify, but it's not a standout active for skin benefits.

A mild, plant-derived cleansing polymer that helps create a rich lather while being gentle on skin.

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

A mild cleansing agent from coconut oil that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying for sensitive skin.

A mild, effective cleanser that creates a rich foam without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, soap-like cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

Sodium Castorate is a gentle, plant-derived soap ingredient that effectively cleanses but may be drying for sensitive skin.

A gentle, soap-free surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, plant-based sulfate that cleanses effectively without the harshness of traditional sodium lauryl sulfate.

A mild, natural cleanser derived from cocoa butter that cleans without stripping the skin.

Sodium cocoate is a natural, effective cleanser from coconut oil, but can be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

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

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

An effective but potentially drying cleanser derived from animal fat, best for oily skin types.

A mild cleansing ingredient that helps create a rich lather and stable bar soaps, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

Sodium Lanolate is a mild, lanolin-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may be comedogenic for some and is unsuitable for those with wool allergies.