Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kinder to sensitive skin than many traditional sulfates.

A gentle, water-soluble surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a popular choice for sensitive-skin formulas.

A gentle, PEG-based emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but may raise environmental concerns due to its PEG content.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, generally safe for most skin types.

A synthetic film-former that helps products adhere to skin and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A workhorse emulsifier that helps oil and water mix, but its animal-derived origin and potential for ethoxylation impurities may give some users pause.

A water-friendly version of lanolin that softens skin and helps blend oils and water, but may not suit those with wool allergies or sensitive skin.

A gentle emulsifier derived from avocado oil that helps blend water and oil in formulas, with low irritation potential.

PEG-9 Borageate is a gentle emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in skincare, with mild skin-conditioning benefits from borage seed oil.

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

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread smoothly without heavy greasiness.

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

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, commonly found in cleansers and shampoos, with a low risk of irritation.

PEG-9 Cocoate is a gentle cleansing and emulsifying ingredient, but those with sensitive skin may want to patch-test due to potential mild irritation.

A gentle, coconut-derived emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cleansers and creams, with low irritation potential.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and soften hair, generally considered safe for most people.

PEG-9 Dimethacrylate is a synthetic polymer that helps nail and makeup products form a durable, glossy film, but it has limited skin benefits and may cause sensitivity in some users.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability without clogging pores.

PEG-9 Dinicotinate is a synthetic derivative of niacin (vitamin B3) that may support skin microcirculation and barrier function, but research is limited and it's less common than niacinamide.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

A reliable emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin in high concentrations.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, generally well-tolerated and safe for most skin types.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly and feel less greasy than pure oils.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, smooth creams and lotions, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin.

PEG-9 Laurate is a workhorse emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin in high concentrations.

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

A gentle silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, with low irritation and clogging risk.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, with low irritation potential.

PEG-9 Oleamide is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers, but it may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin.

PEG-9 Oleate is a workhorse emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may be slightly drying or irritating for very sensitive skin.

A mild, olive-derived emulsifier that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may not suit everyone due to its PEG component.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, lightweight textures and improves product spreadability without clogging pores.

PEG-9 Ricinoleate is a mild emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cleansers and creams, but its PEG component raises minor purity concerns for some users.

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

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

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

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable formulas, but its PEG component raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and form a light, flexible film on skin, but offers no direct active benefits.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin.

PEG-90M is a safe, synthetic thickener that gives a smooth, non-sticky feel to water-based products.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but its fluorinated chemistry raises environmental persistence concerns.

A synthetic silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

A stabilized form of vitamin E that offers antioxidant benefits with better formulation flexibility than plain tocopherol.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and form a light, flexible film on skin, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

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

A synthetic film former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but its long-chain polymer structure means it's not easily absorbed and may feel heavy on some skin types.

A silicone emulsifier that helps mix water and oil for a smooth, spreadable texture, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

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

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps keep your lotions and creams smooth and stable, but it's not a star ingredient on its own.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A water-friendly version of vitamin E that helps protect skin from environmental damage and keeps it feeling soft.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve product texture, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve the feel of hair and skin, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A gentle, water-binding polymer that helps keep skin hydrated and smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability without clogging pores.

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

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

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

A versatile silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable formulas without a greasy feel.

A safe, synthetic thickener that improves product texture without clogging pores or causing irritation.