Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin and hair.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser derived from rice protein that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A mild, protein-derived surfactant that cleans gently and helps maintain skin and hair softness.

A mild, protein-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping and helps reinforce hair strength.

A mild, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping, with added conditioning benefits from oat protein.

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

A mild, protein-enriched cleanser that helps clean hair and skin while leaving them feeling soft and less stripped.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer by forming a flexible, water-resistant film.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put by forming a flexible, water-resistant film on skin or hair.

A mild, protein-based conditioning ingredient that adds softness and manageability without heavy buildup.

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

A mild, protein-derived conditioning ingredient that helps soften and smooth skin and hair without heavy buildup.

A mild, protein-based surfactant that cleanses gently while helping hair and skin feel soft and conditioned.

A gentle film-forming ingredient from seaweed that helps soothe and protect skin and hair without clogging pores.

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses gently and is well-tolerated by sensitive skin.

A gentle, protein-based conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and add softness without heavy buildup.

A mild synthetic ingredient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and improve manageability without heavy buildup.

A gentle, modified cellulose that helps condition hair and skin by forming a lightweight, non-greasy film.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and soften hair, generally considered safe at low concentrations.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that can improve hair feel but may cause irritation or clog pores for some skin types.

A gentle, semi-synthetic polymer that helps condition hair and improve product texture without heavy buildup.

A mild synthetic ingredient that helps hair feel soft and smooth, but it's not a star player and is best understood as part of a larger formula.

A synthetic conditioning agent that can improve hair feel but may cause irritation or clog pores for some.

A gentle synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and smooth hair without heavy buildup.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, resist water, and feel lightweight, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A gentle, soy-derived conditioning ingredient that helps soften skin and hair without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A conditioning ingredient that can improve hair manageability but may be irritating or comedogenic for some.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and soften hair, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A gentle synthetic polymer that improves product feel and helps lock in moisture without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps hair feel smooth and products spread evenly, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and soften hair, but may cause buildup with frequent use.

An effective hair conditioner and antistatic agent, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A lightweight silicone that gives a smooth, silky feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A synthetic polymer that coats hair and skin to reduce frizz, improve slip, and lock in moisture without heavy buildup.

A gentle, modified collagen that adds slip and softness to hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that adds softness and manageability to hair and a smooth feel to skin.

A gentle, positively charged wheat protein that coats hair to improve softness, manageability, and shine without heavy buildup.

PVP is a safe, synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but it can feel stiff or tacky in high concentrations.

A reliable synthetic polymer that gives hair hold and flexibility without heavy buildup.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, but offers no skincare benefit and may feel stiff on some hair types.

A synthetic ingredient that may help slow hair thinning by reducing collagen buildup around hair follicles, but results vary and it works best as part of a comprehensive hair care routine.

Quaternium-14 is an effective preservative and antistatic agent, but its potential for skin irritation means it is best suited for rinse-off products.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause buildup with frequent use.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve manageability, but may be too heavy for fine or acne-prone skin.

Quaternium-22 is a gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves feel in hair and skin products, with a low risk of irritation.

Quaternium-24 is a gentle conditioning ingredient that helps reduce frizz and static without heavy buildup.

Quaternium-27 is a mild conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and reduce static, but it may not suit very fine or easily weighed-down hair types.

Quaternium-30 is a synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce frizz and static in hair while adding a silky feel, but it may not suit those avoiding silicones or heavy polymers.

Quaternium-33 is a synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve manageability, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin or clog pores in some people.

Quaternium-45 is a synthetic conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves manageability in hair products, with a low risk of irritation.

Quaternium-51 is a gentle synthetic conditioner that helps reduce static and improve the feel of hair and skin without heavy buildup.

Quaternium-52 is a gentle synthetic conditioner that reduces frizz and static without heavy buildup, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that helps detangle hair and reduce flyaways without heavy buildup.

Quaternium-56 is a synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and improves hair feel, but its benefits are mostly cosmetic and temporary.

Quaternium-60 is a synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and improves manageability in hair products, with a low risk of irritation for most users.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve manageability in hair products, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that helps detangle hair and reduce frizz without heavy buildup.

Quaternium-71 is a gentle synthetic conditioner that helps detangle hair and soften skin without heavy buildup.