Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle botanical extract that helps defend skin from environmental stress and may calm minor irritation.

A gentle botanical powder rich in antioxidants that may help calm skin and protect against environmental stressors, though research is still emerging.

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

A gentle botanical extract that helps defend skin from environmental stress and may calm minor irritation.

A gentle botanical extract that helps calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still emerging.

A gentle botanical powder that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant support, but research is still early.

A trendy orchid-derived ingredient with antioxidant potential, but human studies are scarce and it's mainly found in high-end products.

A mild, coconut-derived cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with a pleasant texture.

A reliable emulsifier that creates smooth, stable creams without common irritation concerns.

A gentle emulsifier that helps creams and lotions feel smooth and stable without heavy residue.

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

A gentle, water-loving emollient that helps cleansers and creams feel smooth without leaving a greasy residue.

A reliable, low-irritation emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without clogging pores.

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

Sorbeth-2 Hexaoleate is a safe, effective emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

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

Sorbeth-20 is a gentle, water-soluble surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin formulations.

A gentle emulsifier that helps creamy products feel smooth and stable without heavy irritation.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without common irritation.

A mild, water-loving emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in your products without stripping your skin.

A synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and condition skin and hair, but may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, large-molecule emulsifier that helps blend oil and water without irritating the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive formulas.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your skincare products without stripping the skin.

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

Sorbeth-30 is a gentle, water-loving humectant that helps hydrate the skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

A reliable, low-irritation emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without stripping the skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps oil and water mix, making creams and lotions smooth and stable without heavy irritation.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in creams and lotions, generally considered safe for most skin types.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, generally well-tolerated but not a star active ingredient.

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

Sorbeth-40 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

A reliable emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and lotions, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without common irritation.

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

A reliable, low-irritation emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable lotions and creams without clogging pores.

A reliable emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas, but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, but its PEG backbone raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

Sorbeth-5 is a gentle, PEG-based emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in formulas, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and creams, but may be less common in modern 'clean' beauty due to PEG concerns.

A gentle, effective emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without common irritation.

A gentle, water-soluble emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams without stripping the skin.

Sorbeth-6 is a gentle, synthetic ingredient that helps products clean and mix without stripping the skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps creams and lotions stay smooth and stable, but it is processed with ethoxylation, which raises mild purity concerns.

Sorbeth-6 Hexastearate is a gentle emulsifier that helps create stable, smooth creams and lotions with a pleasant feel, but it is not a star active ingredient.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, making cleansers and creams feel smooth without stripping the skin.

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

A mild, oil-loving emulsifier that helps rinse away makeup and sunscreen without stripping the skin.

A reliable emulsifier that creates smooth, stable creams and lotions with low irritation potential.

Sorbeth-7 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your skincare products, making them feel smooth and stable without heavy irritation.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

Sorbic acid is a gentle, naturally derived preservative that helps keep your products fresh and safe from microbial growth.

Sorbic alcohol is a mild fragrance ingredient and preservative helper, generally safe but with limited direct skin benefit.

A mild, coconut-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without stripping the skin.

A gentle, reliable emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed without irritating most skin types.

Sorbitan Dioleate is a gentle emulsifier that helps keep oil and water mixed in your skincare products, but it offers no direct skin benefits on its own.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with minimal irritation risk.

A gentle emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without common irritation.

A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without common irritation.