Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A semi-synthetic surfactant and conditioner from tallow that can improve feel and foam but may be too heavy or irritating for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Sodium Castorate is a gentle, plant-derived soap ingredient that effectively cleanses but may be drying for sensitive skin.

A gentle, soap-free surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, soap-free cleansing ingredient that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, phosphate-based surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Sodium Cetyl Sulfate is a mild surfactant that effectively cleanses without being as harsh as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, but it can still cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, film-forming chitosan derivative that improves hair manageability and adds a soft, non-sticky feel to skincare products.

A mild, conditioning surfactant derived from chitosan and coconut oil that cleanses without stripping the skin or hair.

A gentle film-forming ingredient that helps hold styles and add shine, but research on its long-term effects is still limited.

A gentle, chitosan-based polymer that improves hair manageability and skin feel without heavy buildup.

A gentle, multi-tasking chitosan derivative that helps stabilize formulas and improve skin feel without common irritants.

A gentle, film-forming chitosan derivative that improves hair manageability and skin feel without heavy buildup.

Sodium chlorate is rarely used in skincare and is more common in industrial or oral care products; it may pose irritation risks and is not recommended for routine cosmetic use.

Sodium chloride is safe in small amounts but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin in high concentrations.

Sodium chlorite is a strong preservative that can be effective at low levels, but it requires careful formulation to avoid skin irritation.

A gentle, plant-derived antioxidant complex that may help calm redness and support skin recovery.

A mild, naturally-derived surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin barrier.

A gentle, skin-identical lipid that supports barrier function and helps other ingredients absorb better.

Sodium Cinnamate is a gentle preservative booster that helps keep products fresh, but it's not a standalone preservative and may cause mild sensitivity in very rare cases.

Sodium citrate is a gentle pH adjuster that helps keep your skincare products stable and comfortable on your skin.

A mild, natural-origin surfactant and scent ingredient that helps cleanse and lightly fragrance products, but may cause sensitivity in those allergic to citronella or related botanicals.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentler alternative to SLS, but can still be drying for sensitive skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively with less irritation than traditional sulfates.

A gentle coconut-derived surfactant and conditioner that cleans without stripping, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry hair and skin.

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

A gentle, biodegradable surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

A coconut-derived surfactant that cleans effectively but can be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, plant-based sulfate that cleanses effectively without the harshness of traditional sodium lauryl sulfate.

A mild, natural cleanser derived from cocoa butter that cleans without stripping the skin.

A gentle, cocoa-butter-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while being kind to sensitive skin.

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

Sodium cocoate is a natural, effective cleanser from coconut oil, but can be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a popular sulfate-free alternative.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a great alternative to harsher sulfates.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a great alternative to harsh sulfates.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

A mild, plant-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while respecting the skin barrier.

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

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

A mild, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being gentle on the skin barrier.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that effectively removes impurities while respecting the skin barrier.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

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

A mild, protein-enriched cleanser that helps clean without stripping the skin or hair.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that also conditions skin and hair, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry types.

A mild, protein-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping and helps strengthen hair, but may not suit those with protein-sensitive hair.

A mild, non-stripping cleanser that gently removes dirt while leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated.

A mild, plant-based cleanser that removes dirt without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, coconut-derived cleanser that combines gentle cleaning with the nourishing properties of royal jelly proteins.

A mild, protein-enriched surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that cleans without stripping and leaves skin feeling soft.

A mild, protein-rich cleansing agent that helps clean without stripping the skin or hair.

A mild, protein-enriched cleanser that helps clean without stripping the skin or hair of natural moisture.

A gentle, wheat-derived surfactant that cleans effectively while being kinder to sensitive skin than traditional sulfates.

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