Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A mild, effective chelating agent that boosts formula stability and helps other ingredients work better without irritating skin.

A gentle, naturally derived humectant that hydrates skin and supports barrier function without irritation.

Sodium glutamate is a gentle humectant that helps your skin hold onto moisture, but it's not a standout ingredient on its own.

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin and improve product feel, but research on its long-term benefits is still limited.

Sodium glycerophosphate is a gentle pH balancer and mild humectant that helps maintain product stability without irritating skin.

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

A gentle, water-loving amino acid salt that helps hydrate skin and keep product pH balanced without irritation.

A gentle film-forming ingredient that helps lock in moisture and improve skin feel without clogging pores.

Sodium Glycolate is a gentler, salt form of glycolic acid that helps exfoliate and adjust product pH, but may still cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Sodium Glyoxylate is a gentle exfoliant that helps smooth skin texture and improve radiance, but research on its long-term effects is still limited.

A stabilized, water-friendly version of grape seed extract that offers antioxidant protection without the staining or instability of the raw extract.

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

A mild, plant-derived cleanser that effectively removes impurities while being gentle on the skin barrier.

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

Sodium Heparin is a gentle, anti-inflammatory ingredient that may help calm redness and support skin recovery, but it is not a primary active for most routines.

A biotech humectant that holds many times its weight in water, offering deep, lasting hydration without the stickiness of hyaluronic acid.

A water-softening agent that helps other ingredients work better, but is not a direct skin treatment.

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps create a rich, stable lather without stripping the skin.

A gentle, plant-derived antimicrobial that helps control acne-causing bacteria and support clear skin without harsh side effects.

A high-tech hyaluronic acid that binds moisture to skin longer than standard HA, with added antioxidant benefits from histidine.

Sodium Hyaluronate is a well-studied, gentle humectant that draws moisture into the skin, making it a staple for hydration without clogging pores.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid that stays on the skin longer for deep, lasting hydration without the sticky feel.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid that clings to skin longer for deep, lasting hydration without the sticky feel.

A next-generation hyaluronic acid that sits on the skin's surface to form a long-lasting moisture barrier without feeling sticky.

A next-gen hyaluronic acid that clings to skin longer for deep, lasting hydration without the sticky feel.

A next-generation hyaluronic acid that clings to skin longer for sustained hydration and a smoother look, with very low irritation risk.

A hybrid humectant that combines hyaluronic acid’s moisture-binding power with silicon for smoother, plumper skin.

A promising hybrid molecule that pairs deep hydration with antioxidant protection, though research is still emerging compared to its parent ingredients.

A gentle, coconut-derived soap that cleans without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

An effective but potentially drying soap ingredient that works well for oily skin but may strip moisture from dry or sensitive skin.

An effective but potentially drying cleanser derived from animal fat, best for oily skin types.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, milk-derived protein that helps form a light film on skin to temporarily smooth and soften, but may not suit those with dairy allergies.

A gentle, starch-based ingredient that absorbs excess oil and gives a silky, matte finish without clogging pores.

Sodium hydrosulfite is a strong reducing agent used mainly in industrial or hair color removal products, not a common or recommended ingredient for everyday skincare.

Sodium hydroxide is a safe pH adjuster in tiny amounts, but it can be irritating if not properly neutralized in the formula.

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

A synthetic stabilizer that helps preserve formulas and prevent color changes, but may release trace formaldehyde under certain conditions.

A synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, modified cyclodextrin that helps stabilize delicate ingredients and improve their delivery into skin without irritation.

A gentle, starch-based polymer that improves product texture and leaves a soft, non-sticky finish on skin.

A gentle, plant-based surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin barrier.

A gentle, starch-based powder that absorbs excess oil and gives a silky, matte finish without clogging pores.

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

A mild, polymer-based cleansing ingredient that helps create a rich lather while being gentle on the skin.

A modern, skin-friendly thickener that helps create smooth, non-sticky textures without the irritation of older polymers.

A gentle, sulfate-free cleansing polymer that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A synthetic skin conditioner that helps improve skin feel and texture, but has limited published research on its efficacy.

A mild cleansing ingredient that helps create a rich lather and stable bar soaps, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

Sodium hypochlorite is a potent disinfectant used in tiny amounts for acne and skin cleansing, but it can be irritating and drying at higher concentrations.

Sodium iodide is a trace mineral salt that may offer mild antioxidant benefits in skincare, but its role is limited and not well-studied for topical use.

Sodium Isethionate is a gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Sodium isobutylparaben is a synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh, but its safety is debated due to potential endocrine-disrupting effects.

A gentle antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, with a low risk of irritation.

An effective preservative with a long safety track record, though some prefer paraben-free formulas due to personal preference.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

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

Sodium Isostearate is a gentle cleansing and emulsifying ingredient that helps create stable, creamy formulas without stripping the skin.