Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A mild, plant-based emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare formulas while leaving skin feeling soft.

PEG-11 Castor Oil is a gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and shampoos, but its PEG component raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

An effective cleansing agent that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, best suited for rinse-off formulas.

A gentle, PEG-modified cocoa butter derivative that helps blend oil and water in formulas while adding a touch of cocoa butter's moisturizing feel.

A synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability without common silicone downsides.

PEG-11 Oleate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, but it may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin and has moderate comedogenic potential.

PEG-11 Tallow Amine is an effective emulsifier but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and raises ethical concerns due to its animal-derived origin.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle film-forming ingredient that helps lock in moisture and improve product texture, but research on its long-term effects is still limited.

PEG-115M is a gentle synthetic thickener that gives products a smooth, silky feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A modified silk protein that forms a lightweight film on skin, offering temporary smoothing and moisture retention, but with limited independent research on this specific PEGylated form.

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

PEG-12 Beeswax is a gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare products, but its PEG component raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

A gentle, water-friendly wax that helps products feel smooth and spread easily without clogging pores.

An effective cleansing and emulsifying ingredient, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin due to its surfactant nature.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare, generally well-tolerated but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

PEG-12 Dilaurate is a safe, widely used emulsifier that helps products spread smoothly, but it may not suit those avoiding synthetic ingredients.

A gentle silicone that smooths skin and hair without heavy greasiness, but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

A gentle silicone polymer that creates a smooth, velvety feel on skin without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A silicone polymer that helps products feel silky, spread evenly, and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A silicone polymer that creates a smooth, breathable film on skin, improving product feel and wear without clogging pores.

PEG-12 Dioleate is a reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but its production may involve trace impurities that some people prefer to avoid.

PEG-12 Ditallate is a synthetic cleanser ingredient that effectively removes dirt and oil, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas, but its PEG component raises minor purity concerns for sensitive skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oils and water in creams and lotions, generally well-tolerated but not a star active ingredient.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

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

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in formulas while providing mild skin conditioning from linoleic acid.

PEG-12 Isostearate is a safe, effective emulsifier that helps products feel smooth, but its PEG origin raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

PEG-12 Lanolate is a gentle, water-friendly lanolin derivative that helps blend oil and water in formulas, but it may clog pores for some and raises environmental concerns due to PEGs.

PEG-12 Laurate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin.

A silicone-based conditioning agent that smooths hair and skin, but may build up with frequent use.

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

PEG-12 Palmitamine is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may cause irritation or clog pores for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

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

PEG-12 Tallate is a functional emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin types.

A synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin without feeling sticky, but research on its long-term effects is limited.

A safe, widely used thickener that gives cleansers and lotions a rich, creamy texture without clogging pores or irritating skin.

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

A mild, non-drying surfactant that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin or scalp.

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

A mild, non-stripping cleanser that helps create a rich lather without drying out the skin.

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

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

A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse clean, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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.

PEG-135 is a safe, widely used thickener and emulsifier, but its production may involve potentially concerning impurities that are tightly regulated.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, resist water, and feel smooth on skin or hair.

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and creates a temporary, peelable film — generally safe but not a must-have ingredient.

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 gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, generally safe but may be too heavy for very oily skin in high concentrations.

PEG-14 Oleate is a safe, widely used emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, but may be best avoided by those with very sensitive or compromised skin.

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

A functional emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, but may be slightly irritating for sensitive skin and has moderate comedogenic potential.

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

A synthetic humectant that helps retain moisture and improve product texture, but offers no unique benefits over more common alternatives.