Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

PEG-10 is a common synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers, but may raise concerns about potential contamination with impurities depending on manufacturing quality.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but its perfluoro component raises environmental questions.

A mild, avocado-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures while adding a touch of skin-softening benefit.

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

PEG-10 Castor Oil is a reliable emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your products, but its PEG component raises mild purity concerns for sensitive skin.

PEG-10 Cocamine is an effective cleansing and emulsifying agent, but may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin due to its surfactant nature.

A silicone copolymer that helps products feel silky, spread evenly, and resist water, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

A silicone polymer that gives products a silky, smooth feel and helps stabilize formulas without clogging pores.

A silicone polymer that stabilizes formulas and gives a silky, smooth feel without clogging pores.

PEG-10 Dioleate helps mix oil and water in products, but may be slightly irritating or pore-clogging for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

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

A gentle emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without heavy irritation.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with low irritation potential.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without common irritation.

A workhorse emulsifier that helps oil and water mix, but may not suit everyone due to its synthetic origin and potential for mild irritation in sensitive skin.

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

A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may feel slightly heavy on very oily skin.

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

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

A gentle, lanolin-based emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, but may clog pores for some.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in products, but may be irritating for sensitive skin and has moderate comedogenic potential.

A synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be less eco-friendly than some alternatives.

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

A gentle, water-soluble lanolin derivative that softens skin and helps blend oil and water in formulas, but may clog pores for some.

A common synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be slightly irritating for very sensitive skin.

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

A high-tech silicone polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put and feel silky, but it's synthetic and not biodegradable.

PEG-10 Oleamine is an effective emulsifier but may cause irritation or clog pores for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A mild, olive-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without stripping the skin.

A mild, plant-based emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures while also offering light skin conditioning.

A gentle emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without heavy irritation.

A mild, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare formulas while adding a smooth, non-greasy feel.

A reliable silicone emulsifier that helps blend water and oil phases for a smooth, non-greasy finish.

A gentle, PEG-based emulsifier that helps mix oil and water without stripping the skin.

PEG-10 Soy Sterol is a mild, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare products while adding a soft, non-greasy feel.

PEG-10 Soyamine is an effective emulsifier but may be moderately irritating and comedogenic, so it's best suited for rinse-off products.

A synthetic helper ingredient that keeps oil and water mixed, but offers no direct skin benefit.

PEG-10 Stearamine is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, but it may be moderately irritating or comedogenic for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and soften hair, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, sunflower-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without common irritation.

PEG-10 Tallate is a cleansing and emulsifying ingredient derived from tall oil, but its PEG component and potential impurities raise mild safety considerations for sensitive skin.

A semi-synthetic surfactant and conditioner that can improve texture but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A silicone polymer that helps products feel silky and stay put, but may not suit those avoiding silicones or seeking fully biodegradable ingredients.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emulsifier derived from camellia oil that helps blend water and oil in your products without stripping the skin.

A reliable silicone emulsifier that creates smooth, lightweight textures without clogging pores.

PEG-100 Castor Oil is a reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, but it may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

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

PEG-100 Lanolin is a water-friendly version of lanolin that softens skin and helps blend oil and water, but it may clog pores for some and raises concerns about potential impurities from the PEG process.

A lab-made peptide inspired by bee venom that aims to smooth and firm skin, but human research is very limited.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a light, flexible film on skin or hair.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, but its PEG component raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

A gentle film-forming polymer that helps ingredients spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A widely used synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, smooth creams but may be less ideal for very sensitive or acne-prone skin in high concentrations.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put longer, especially in water-resistant formulas.

A gentle synthetic conditioning agent that helps detangle hair and improve product feel without heavy buildup.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water while adding a touch of avocado-derived nourishment.