Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 36 of 156
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Surfactant

Sodium Lardate

Sodium Lardate

3.5

Sodium Lardate is a traditional soap ingredient from animal fat that effectively cleanses but may be drying for some skin types.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleansing agent
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Surfactant

Sodium Laurate

Sodium Laurate

3.5

Sodium Laurate is an effective cleanser but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleansing agent
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Surfactant

Sodium Laureth-16 Carboxylate

SODIUM LAURETH-16 CARBOXYLATE

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
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Surfactant

Sodium Laureth-8 Sulfate

SODIUM LAURETH-8 SULFATE

3.5

A strong cleanser that can strip natural oils; best for oily skin or occasional deep cleansing.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

3.0

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a powerful cleanser that creates rich foam but can strip the skin's natural oils and cause irritation, especially for dry or sensitive skin types.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Sodium Linoleate

Sodium Linoleate

4.0

Sodium Linoleate is a gentle, soap-like cleanser derived from linoleic acid that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
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Surfactant

Sodium Methyl Isethionate

Sodium Methyl Isethionate

4.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Sodium Myristate

Sodium Myristate

3.5

Sodium Myristate is an effective cleanser but can be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
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Surfactant

Sodium Myristyl Aspartate

Sodium Myristyl Aspartate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Sodium Oleate

Sodium Oleate

3.5

Sodium Oleate is an effective cleanser derived from fatty acids, but it can be drying and potentially irritating for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

moderate

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
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Surfactant

Sodium Palmitate

Sodium Palmitate

3.5

Sodium Palmitate is an effective, natural cleanser commonly found in bar soaps, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Sodium Peanutate

SODIUM PEANUTATE

3.5

Sodium Peanutate is a natural soap ingredient that cleans effectively but may be drying and is a concern for those with peanut allergies.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Sodium Shea Butterate

Sodium Shea Butterate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Sodium Stearoyl Casein

Sodium Stearoyl Casein

3.8

A mild, protein-derived surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may not suit those with dairy sensitivities.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
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Surfactant

Sodium Tamanuseedate

Sodium Tamanuseedate

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Sodium Taurine Laurate

Sodium Taurine Laurate

4.3

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Sodium Trideceth-7 Carboxylate

SODIUM TRIDECETH-7 CARBOXYLATE

4.0

A gentle, effective surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Sodium Tridecyl Sulfate

Sodium Tridecyl Sulfate

3.5

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

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Sodium Undecylenate

Sodium Undecylenate

3.8

An effective cleanser with mild antimicrobial properties, best for oily or acne-prone skin but can be drying for sensitive types.

Irritation

moderate

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
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Cleansing Agent

Sodium/TEA-Undecylenoyl Alginate

SODIUM/TEA-UNDECYLENOYL ALGINATE

4.0

A mild, algae-derived cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt and oil while leaving a soft, non-stripped feel on skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
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Surfactant

Soyamidopropylamine Oxide

Soyamidopropylamine Oxide

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived surfactant that helps create rich foam and improve cleansing without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Tallow Amide

Tallow Amide

3.5

Tallow Amide is an effective cleanser and foam booster from animal fat, but may be drying for sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarecleansing agent
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Surfactant

TEA-C12-13 Pareth-3 Sulfate

TEA-C12-13 PARETH-3 SULFATE

3.8

A milder alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate, but still a surfactant that can be drying for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

TEA-Cocamide Diacetate

TEA-Cocamide Diacetate

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

TEA-Oleoyl Sarcosinate

TEA-OLEOYL SARCOSINATE

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

TEA-Tridecylbenzenesulfonate

TEA-Tridecylbenzenesulfonate

3.5

An effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, but is generally safe in rinse-off formulas.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

TEA-Undecylenate

TEA-Undecylenate

3.8

An effective cleansing and antimicrobial agent, but may be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

moderate

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Trideceth-15 Carboxylic Acid

TRIDECETH-15 CARBOXYLIC ACID

4.0

A gentle, non-stripping cleansing ingredient that helps remove impurities while maintaining skin comfort.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Trideceth-19 Carboxylic Acid

TRIDECETH-19 CARBOXYLIC ACID

4.0

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, commonly found in mild cleansers.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Trideceth-4 Carboxylic Acid

TRIDECETH-4 CARBOXYLIC ACID

4.0

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin formulas.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Undeceth-5 Carboxylic Acid

UNDECETH-5 CARBOXYLIC ACID

4.0

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Undecylenoyl Sarcosine

UNDECYLENOYL SARCOSINE

4.2

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

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review

Surfactant

Zinc Coco-Sulfate

Zinc Coco-Sulfate

3.8

A gentler sulfate cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may still be too drying for very sensitive or dry skin types.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarecleansing agent
Read ingredient review