Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A mineral blend used mainly for color and texture, but with very limited research on its specific cosmetic role.

A gentle, plant-derived preservative booster that helps keep your skincare fresh without common irritants.

Sodium Arachidate is a mild soap ingredient that helps cleanse and emulsify, but it's not a standout active for skin benefits.

A gentle, argan-oil-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentler, more stable form of vitamin C that brightens skin and fights free radicals with less sting than pure ascorbic acid.

A gentle, stable form of vitamin C that brightens skin and fights free radicals without the irritation of pure L-ascorbic acid.

A gentle, stable form of vitamin C that brightens skin and fights free radicals without the irritation of pure ascorbic acid.

A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative that pairs antioxidant protection with barrier support, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

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

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin, making it a popular choice for sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

A gentle cleansing agent that helps bar soaps hold their shape and creates a creamy lather without stripping the skin.

A mild, biodegradable emulsifier that creates stable, creamy textures and leaves skin feeling soft without irritation.

Sodium Benzoate is a safe, well-studied preservative that keeps your products fresh and free from harmful bacteria and fungi.

A modern, photostable sunscreen ingredient that offers reliable broad-spectrum protection without the white cast of older mineral filters.

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but it's not as widely studied as more common cleansing agents.

Sodium bicarbonate can gently exfoliate and adjust pH, but its alkalinity may disrupt the skin barrier if used too frequently or at high concentrations.

A mild, plant-derived cleansing polymer that helps create a rich lather while being gentle on skin.

A mild, eco-friendly surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A synthetic antimicrobial that can help preserve products and target acne-causing bacteria, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, castor-oil-derived surfactant that cleans effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

Sodium bisulfate is a safe pH adjuster in small amounts, but can be irritating at high concentrations.

Sodium bisulfite is an effective preservative but can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, especially those with sulfite sensitivity.

Sodium borate helps stabilize pH and preserve formulas, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Sodium borohydride is a synthetic chemical used in tiny amounts as a processing aid in cosmetics, not a direct skincare ingredient, and its safety depends on proper formulation.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin types.

A synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but may feel tight or stiff for some users.

A mild, biodegradable surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin barrier — great for sensitive skin.

Sodium butylparaben is an effective preservative but has raised safety concerns, especially regarding potential endocrine disruption, leading many brands to phase it out.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid derivative that sticks to skin longer and penetrates deeper for lasting hydration.

A modified sugar molecule that may help plump and firm skin, but research is still early.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid derivative that offers deeper, longer-lasting hydration with less stickiness than standard HA.

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

A milder alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin as harshly.

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

A milder alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate that effectively cleanses but can still be drying for sensitive skin.

An effective but potentially drying cleanser that can strip natural oils; best for oily skin or occasional use.

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

A strong, effective cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, but is generally safe in rinse-off formulas.

A gentler alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate, but still a strong cleanser that may strip moisture for sensitive skin.

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that cleanses effectively while being less likely to irritate sensitive skin than traditional sulfates.

A gentle, phosphate-based surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin.

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

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that cleans effectively while being less harsh than traditional sulfates.

A strong, effective cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, but is generally safe for normal skin types.

A milder alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate that effectively cleanses but may still be drying for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle synthetic cleanser that effectively removes impurities while being kinder to the skin barrier than traditional sulfates.

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

A strong, effective cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, but is generally safe in rinse-off products.

A milder alternative to SLS that effectively cleanses but can still be drying for sensitive skin.

A gentle, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses while being less harsh than traditional sulfates.

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

A gentler alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate that effectively cleanses without being overly harsh.

A gentle synthetic cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.