Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, water-soluble emulsifier that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone types in high concentrations.

A reliable emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, but its PEG component raises mild purity concerns for some users.

A gentle cleansing agent derived from tallow that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and shampoos, but may be too stripping for very dry or sensitive skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother, but it's not a hydrating or active ingredient.

A workhorse emulsifier that helps your cleanser and lotion stay smooth and stable, but it's synthetic and may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A synthetic thickener that gives creams and lotions a rich, velvety texture without clogging pores or irritating skin.

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

An effective emulsifier and surfactant, but its animal-derived origin and potential for mild irritation make it less popular in modern clean beauty.

A safe, synthetic film-former that improves wear time and water resistance without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, but with limited independent safety data.

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

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

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with a silky feel.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen last longer, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

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

A workhorse emulsifier that helps oil and water mix, but may not be ideal for very sensitive or reactive skin due to potential ethoxylation concerns.

A mild, olive-derived cleansing ingredient that helps lift dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that keeps water and oil mixed in your products, but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

A gentle, water-soluble lanolin derivative that helps blend oil and water in formulas while softening skin, but may not suit those with wool-wax allergies.

A gentle, water-soluble lanolin derivative that helps blend oil and water in formulas while adding mild conditioning.

PEG-240 is a safe, synthetic thickener that improves product texture but may be less eco-friendly than natural alternatives.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but may feel heavy or tight on sensitive skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare formulas, with mild conditioning benefits from avocado oil.

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

A gentle, water-soluble emulsifier derived from castor oil that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and shampoos.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and improve hair feel, but may cause buildup with frequent use.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures, but may not suit everyone due to its PEG origin.

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

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

A safe, effective emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your products, but it's synthetic and may not appeal to those seeking natural ingredients.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and makeup removers, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

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

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare products while providing light skin conditioning.

PEG-25 Oleamine is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers, but it may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin.

PEG-25 PABA is an older UV filter that effectively absorbs UVB rays but has fallen out of favor due to potential skin sensitivity and environmental concerns.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that hydrates and softens skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

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

PEG-25 Tallow Amine is an effective emulsifier and surfactant, but its animal-derived origin and potential for irritation make it less popular in modern clean beauty.

A reliable thickener and emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams but offers no direct skin benefit.

PEG-26 Castor Oil is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and shampoos, but its PEG component raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

A gentle, water-soluble cleanser derived from jojoba oil that helps remove dirt and makeup without stripping the skin.

A gentle emulsifier derived from jojoba that helps blend oil and water in your products, but it's processed with PEGs, which some prefer to avoid.

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

PEG-27 Lanolin is a modified lanolin that adds water solubility, making it a versatile emollient and mild cleanser, but it may be moderately comedogenic for acne-prone skin.

A workhorse emulsifier that helps oil and water mix, but its animal-derived origin and PEG processing raise concerns for some users.

PEG-29 Castor Oil is a gentle cleansing and emulsifying ingredient, but its PEG component raises mild concerns about potential impurities.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your products, but it's not a star ingredient for skin benefits.

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

PEG-3 Cocamide is a cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but it may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

An effective foaming agent, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and has raised environmental concerns.

PEG-3 Cocamine is a coconut-derived surfactant that helps products foam and rinse clean, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic cholesterol-like ingredient that helps reinforce the skin barrier and improve texture, but its PEG component may raise concerns for some sensitive users.

A synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, with low irritation risk but limited research on long-term effects.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps detangle and soften hair, but has limited published safety data.

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

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

PEG-3 Dioleate is a reliable emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, but its production may involve potentially concerning impurities if not properly purified.

A gentle synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.