Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, effective cleanser that removes impurities without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A strong but effective cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, best suited for oily or normal skin types in rinse-off formulas.

A milder alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate that still provides good foam and cleansing, but may still be drying for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but offers no direct skincare benefits beyond cleansing.

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

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

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

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

A gentle, effective cleanser that removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it a good alternative to harsher sulfates.

A gentle, effective cleanser that creates a rich lather and is less drying than many traditional sulfates.

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

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

A strong but effective cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, though less harsh than shorter-chain sulfates.

A gentle, sulfate-based cleanser that effectively removes impurities while being less harsh than traditional sodium lauryl sulfate.

A mild, protein-based surfactant that cleanses gently and leaves skin feeling soft, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle, soy-derived surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle, synthetic cleanser that effectively removes impurities while being less likely to cause irritation than traditional sulfates.

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

A gentle, effective cleanser that removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it a good alternative to harsher sulfates.

A safe, non-irritating mineral powder that improves texture and slip in makeup, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A safe, non-irritating mineral pigment that adds color and shimmer to makeup without known skin concerns.

A gentle mineral abrasive often found in toothpaste and exfoliating products, considered safe and non-irritating for most people.

A mild, plant-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

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

A gentle, non-stripping cleanser that works well for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

A gentle surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin, often used in sulfate-free formulas.

A modified hyaluronic acid that sticks better to skin for deeper, longer-lasting hydration without irritation.

A mild, effective cleanser that respects the skin barrier and is well-tolerated by sensitive skin.

A mild, protein-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping and leaves hair and skin feeling soft.

A mild, biodegradable surfactant that cleanses effectively while respecting the skin barrier — ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, effective cleanser that creates a rich foam without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting your skin's natural barrier.

A mild, eco-friendly surfactant that cleanses effectively while respecting the skin barrier.

A mild synthetic cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil but may cause slight dryness for sensitive skin.

A gentle, soap-like cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that effectively cleanses while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, effective surfactant that cleanses without over-drying, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin barrier.

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

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant ideal for sensitive skin and baby care.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

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

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps products spread smoothly and rinse cleanly, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

An effective cleansing and conditioning ingredient, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin and has environmental concerns due to tallow sourcing.

A gentle, water-soluble derivative of beta-glucan that hydrates, soothes, and helps strengthen the skin barrier without irritation.

A gentle, effective cleanser derived from natural sugars and fatty alcohols, ideal for sensitive skin.

A gentle, water-soluble derivative of chitin that helps hydrate and form a protective film on skin, making it a good option for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, multi-tasking chitosan derivative that hydrates, forms a protective film, and offers mild cleansing without stripping the skin.

A mild, coconut-derived cleansing agent that effectively removes impurities while being gentle on the skin barrier.

A gentle, water-soluble derivative of dextran that helps hydrate and form a light film on skin, often used to improve texture and moisture retention.

A gentle, semi-synthetic film-former that helps soothe and protect the skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, semi-synthetic humectant that helps hydrate and calm the skin, often used in sensitive-skin formulas.

A gentle, algae-derived humectant that helps hydrate and protect the skin barrier without irritation.

A gentle, plant-based humectant that hydrates and forms a protective film on skin, with a low risk of irritation.

A mild synthetic conditioning agent that helps hair and skin feel smooth without heavy buildup.