Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

A gentle, synthetic humectant that attracts moisture to the skin without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that softens skin and hair without the heavy feel of pure lanolin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, glucose-based humectant that hydrates and softens skin without feeling heavy or greasy.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient derived from glucose that helps skincare products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A gentle, glucose-derived emollient that helps moisturize and stabilize formulas without feeling greasy.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without heavy greasiness, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle, multi-tasking ingredient that moisturizes and provides antioxidant benefits without common irritation.

A gentle, water-soluble vitamin E derivative that helps protect skin from environmental damage without the greasiness of pure vitamin E.

A gentle, water-loving ingredient that pulls moisture into the skin and leaves it feeling smooth without greasiness.

A versatile, semi-synthetic emollient that softens skin and helps blend oil and water, but may clog pores for some.

PPG-21 Butyl Ether Phosphate helps mix oil and water in cleansers, but may be drying for sensitive skin.

A synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without feeling greasy, generally safe for most skin types.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that stabilizes formulas but offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that draws moisture to the skin without common irritation or stickiness.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that helps your skin hold onto moisture without feeling sticky or greasy.

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

A synthetic conditioning agent that can improve hair feel but may cause irritation or clog pores for some.

An effective cleansing agent that helps dissolve makeup and excess oil, but may be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle silicone that improves product feel and spreadability without clogging pores, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

A gentle, water-binding ingredient that helps keep skin hydrated and improves product feel without common irritation.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that helps hydrate the skin and improve product feel without common irritation concerns.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that draws moisture to the skin without common irritation.

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

A gentle, water-soluble emulsifier that helps mix oils and fragrances into clear, lightweight formulas without leaving a greasy feel.

A safe, synthetic polymer that creates a flexible film on skin, improving water resistance and texture without common irritation.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but it's not a skincare active and may feel heavy on oily skin.

A gentle silicone that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic humectant that hydrates the skin and improves the feel of cosmetic formulas without common irritation.

A gentle, synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without clogging pores or causing irritation.

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

A lightweight synthetic emollient that improves product texture and skin feel without heavy greasiness.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without greasiness, suitable for most skin types.

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

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

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

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product texture with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that draws moisture into the skin without the sticky feel of glycerin.

A synthetic film-former that helps nail products last longer, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin or nail beds.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas without heavy greasiness.

A gentle, soy-derived conditioning ingredient that helps soften skin and hair without clogging pores or causing irritation.

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

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

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without clogging pores.

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

A synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying for sensitive skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps products rinse cleanly, but may be drying for sensitive skin.

PPG-3-Laureth-9 is a synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and remove oil, but it may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, generally considered safe at low concentrations.

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that gives skin a silky finish and is generally well-tolerated.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for non-greasy formulas.

A conditioning ingredient that can improve hair manageability but may be irritating or comedogenic for some.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.

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

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