Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A reliable, low-irritation emulsifier that gives cleansers and creams a smooth, creamy texture.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in formulas, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

An effective emulsifier with a controversial animal-derived origin; modern alternatives are widely preferred.

A mild, sunflower-derived emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in your skincare products without stripping the skin.

PEG-130 Glyceryl Tallowate is a reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but its animal-derived origin and PEG processing may raise concerns for some users.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare formulas while adding a touch of avocado-derived conditioning.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that stabilizes creams and lotions, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and creams, but its PEG backbone raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally considered safe at low concentrations.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, generally well-tolerated but best for rinse-off products due to potential residue.

A reliable emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your products, but it's synthetic and may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in products, generally well-tolerated but may be drying for very sensitive skin.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that keeps creams and lotions stable, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in skincare products, generally well-tolerated but may be too heavy for very oily skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cosmetics, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle, modified lanolin that moisturizes and helps blend water and oil, but may be too heavy for acne-prone skin.

PEG-15 Lanolate is a gentle emulsifier derived from lanolin, but it may clog pores for acne-prone skin.

A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that helps stabilize formulas and may support skin barrier function without clogging pores.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product feel and stability without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product feel and stability, but may not suit those avoiding silicones or PEG compounds.

A safe, synthetic thickener that helps create a rich, creamy texture in lotions and conditioners without common irritation.

A safe, widely used synthetic thickener and emulsifier that helps products feel smooth and spread evenly, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin in high concentrations.

A safe, effective thickener and emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and lotions, but may feel heavy on very oily skin.

A gentle synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps create smooth, creamy textures without common irritation concerns.

A safe, workhorse emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in your products, but it can feel heavy on very oily or acne-prone skin.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that stabilizes creamy formulas without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, widely used emulsifier that stabilizes formulas and gives a smooth feel, with a strong safety record in cosmetics.

PEG-16 Castor Oil is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, making it a common ingredient in cleansers and makeup removers, but it may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

PEG-16 Dilaurate is a reliable emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your products, but it may not be ideal for very sensitive or compromised skin due to potential penetration enhancer effects.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in formulas, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin in high concentrations.

A gentle emulsifier derived from lanolin that helps blend oil and water, but may be slightly comedogenic for acne-prone skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in your skincare, while also softening the skin.

A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that stabilizes formulas and leaves skin feeling smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle, large-molecule emulsifier that stabilizes oil-and-water blends without significant irritation or clogging concerns.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, spreadable textures without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that stabilizes formulas without significant irritation or clogging concerns.

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

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in products, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

A safe, effective emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in creams and cleansers, but may be less suitable for very sensitive skin due to potential mild irritation.

A reliable emulsifier that helps keep creams and lotions stable, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare products, but may not suit those avoiding all PEG compounds.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation or clogging pores.

A reliable emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, generally considered safe at low concentrations.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, generally safe for most skin types but may be too heavy for very oily skin.

PEG-2 Isostearate is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and lotions, but it may not suit those avoiding all PEG compounds.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in skincare products, generally well-tolerated but not a star active ingredient.