Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Laureth ingredients help blend oil and water in formulas, but some types can be mildly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A mild, phosphate-based surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may not suit ultra-sensitive types.

A gentle cleansing and emulsifying ingredient that helps products rinse clean without stripping the skin, but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated compounds.

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

Laureth-100 is a gentle, high-foam surfactant and emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and serums, with a very low irritation profile.

Laureth-11 is a gentle surfactant and emulsifier that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin formulations.

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.

Laureth-13 is a synthetic cleansing agent that helps products foam and rinse clean, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that helps cleansers foam and remove dirt without stripping the skin.

A gentle thickener that improves product texture without significant skin concerns.

An effective cleansing agent that can strip the skin's natural oils if used too frequently or in high concentrations.

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

Laureth-15 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps products spread and foam, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

Laureth-16 is a gentle surfactant and emulsifier that helps products foam and rinse cleanly, but it may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.

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

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

Laureth-2 Acetate is a gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without over-drying, making it a good option for sensitive skin.

A synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that improves product texture and skin feel without clogging pores.

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

Laureth-20 is a common cleansing and emulsifying ingredient that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, especially in high concentrations.

Laureth-23 is a reliable emulsifier but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

A gentle cleansing agent that helps products foam and rinse clean without stripping the skin.

A gentle, effective cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may not suit those with very sensitive or compromised barriers.

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

Laureth-4 is an effective emulsifier and cleanser, but it can be moderately irritating and potentially pore-clogging for some skin types.

A mild surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may cause irritation for very sensitive types.

Laureth-4 Phosphate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A mild cleansing and emulsifying agent, but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Laureth-5 is a mild cleansing and emulsifying agent, but may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Laureth-5 Butyl Ether is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle, large-molecule surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, but may not be ideal for those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

Laureth-6 is a gentle surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but it may be too drying for very sensitive or dry skin if used in high concentrations.

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

Laureth-6 Citrate is a gentle, citrate-modified surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Laureth-7 is a mild surfactant and emulsifier that helps products spread and rinse cleanly, but it is not a star active ingredient for skin benefits.

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

A gentle surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

Laureth-7 Tartrate is a gentle surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin types.

Laureth-8 is a workhorse emulsifier that helps products spread and rinse clean, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin in high concentrations.

A gentle, non-stripping surfactant that cleanses effectively without disrupting the skin barrier.

Laureth-8 Phosphate is a mild, semi-synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin, but it may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

Laureth-9 is a common cleansing and emulsifying agent, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

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 gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic conditioning agent that helps products feel smoother and less drying, but it's not a standout active ingredient.

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

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

Laurocapram is a synthetic ingredient that boosts absorption of other actives, but its use in consumer skincare is limited due to potential irritation and regulatory caution.

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

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

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that effectively cleanses while respecting sensitive and dry skin.

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

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

A mild chelating agent that helps your products stay effective and feel fresh by neutralizing unwanted metal ions.