A synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Beauty ingredient research
Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.
20769
Reviewed ingredients
524
Low-concern standouts
2884
Need usage caution
A synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be mildly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic cleansing agent that helps products foam and rinse clean, but may be drying for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps keep your products smooth and stable, but offers no direct skin benefit.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps keep your skincare products stable and well-mixed, but it offers no direct skin benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
PPG-2 Cocamide helps cleansers foam and mix oil with water, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types.
Irritation
moderate
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild surfactant that helps cleanse and condition, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.
Irritation
moderate
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and lotions mix oil and water without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle silicone that smooths skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic humectant that helps keep skin hydrated without the stickiness of glycerin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic conditioning ingredient that can improve hair feel but may cause irritation or clog pores for some skin types.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather and improve the feel of cleansers without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, generally considered safe and low-irritation for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, semi-synthetic polymer that helps condition hair and improve product texture without heavy buildup.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps water and oil mix, making your cleansers and creams smooth and stable.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and shampoos, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emollient that improves texture and spreadability, but may be moderately pore-clogging for some skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that softens skin but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
PPG-2 Laureth-12 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse clean, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water; generally safe but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
PPG-2 Laureth-8 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic ingredient that helps hair feel soft and smooth, but it's not a star player and is best understood as part of a larger formula.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A fast-evaporating solvent that helps products spread and dry quickly, but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores, commonly used in moisturizers and cleansers.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic solvent that helps other ingredients spread evenly without leaving a greasy feel.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
PPG-2 Tallowamine is an effective emulsifier but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and is not suitable for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
Irritation
moderate
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild, vitamin-E-derived cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild synthetic surfactant that helps products spread and rinse cleanly, but offers no direct skin benefit.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but offers no skin benefit beyond cleansing.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic helper that blends oil and water, generally safe but not a star ingredient.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A workhorse emulsifier that helps water and oil mix in your creams and cleansers, generally well-tolerated but not a star active ingredient.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
PPG-2-Ceteth-10 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps oil and water mix in your skincare products, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and lotions mix smoothly without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and lotions mix oil and water without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
PPG-2-Deceth-20 is a mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but may be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but may be drying for sensitive or dry skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps cleanse without stripping, but offers no direct skin benefit beyond formulation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps oil and water mix, commonly found in rinse-off cleansers and shampoos.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, generally well-tolerated but best for rinse-off products.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but offers no direct skin benefit.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and shampoos, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify, generally well-tolerated but not a standout active ingredient.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cleansers and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, generally considered safe and low-irritation for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps products spread and rinse cleanly, generally well-tolerated but best for rinse-off formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Emulsifier
PPG-2-PEG-11 Hydrogenated Lauryl Alcohol Ether
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and cleansers without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, with low irritation potential.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare products; generally considered safe and low-irritation for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without being greasy or clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic