Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Potassium Cumenesulfonate is a mild synthetic surfactant that helps keep formulas clear and stable, but it can be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

An effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying for some skin types, but is generally safe when used in rinse-off products.

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

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in formulas without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create rich foam and improve the mildness of cleansing formulas.

A gentle silicone-based emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, leaving skin feeling smooth without heavy residue.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer by forming a flexible, water-resistant film.

A strong synthetic cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic chelator that helps preserve formula stability and efficacy by trapping trace metals, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put by forming a flexible, water-resistant film on skin or hair.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps water and oil mix, commonly used in rinse-off cleansers.

A paraben preservative that is effective against microbes but has raised some safety concerns in certain consumer circles.

A gentle, boron-based antioxidant that may help calm skin and support collagen, but research is still early.

A mild chelating agent that helps your products stay stable and effective without the irritation sometimes linked to stronger alternatives.

Potassium Gluconate is a mild humectant and chelator that helps keep your products stable and your skin hydrated without irritation.

A novel hybrid ingredient that pairs glutathione's brightening power with a skin-friendly fatty acid, but research on this specific form is still limited.

A gentle pH-balancing salt that helps keep your skin's acid mantle happy without stinging or irritation.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, licorice-derived ingredient that helps calm redness and irritation without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived soother that helps calm redness and irritation without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, soap-like cleanser made from coconut oil that effectively removes dirt without harshness.

A palm-derived cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt but may be drying for sensitive skin.

An effective but potentially drying cleanser derived from animal fat, best for normal to oily skin types.

A gentle, high-performance humectant derived from fermented soy that holds water on the skin better than hyaluronic acid in some conditions.

Potassium hydroxide is a powerful pH adjuster that helps create effective cleansers, but it must be carefully neutralized to avoid skin irritation.

A gentle exfoliating salt that may help brighten skin and improve texture with a lower irritation risk than stronger acids.

An effective cleanser and emulsifier, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin in high concentrations.

Potassium iodide is a safe preservative helper in tiny amounts, but it is not a skin-beneficial active and may be unnecessary in well-formulated products.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated.

A gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but offers no direct skincare benefits.

A mild, plant-derived cleanser that effectively removes oil-based impurities while being gentle on the skin.

Potassium lactate is a mild, effective humectant that helps hydrate skin without the sting often associated with pure lactic acid.

A gentle, lanolin-derived cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may be comedogenic for some.

An effective but potentially drying cleanser best suited for oily skin types and rinse-off formulas.

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

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

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

A gentle, effective cleanser that removes impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, effective surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

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

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

A gentle, sulfate-free cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting the skin barrier.

A mild, collagen-derived surfactant that cleanses gently and helps maintain skin's moisture barrier.

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, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting the skin barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while respecting the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while being gentle on the skin barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin's moisture barrier.

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes impurities while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, silk-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without disrupting the skin barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses gently, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle, plant-derived cleansing ingredient that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

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

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A gentle, phosphate-based surfactant that cleanses effectively with low irritation potential, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

Potassium Lauryl Sulfate is a strong cleanser that can effectively remove dirt and oil but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Potassium Linoleate is an effective, gentle cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying for very sensitive or dry skin types.