Steareth-14 is a reliable emulsifier that helps keep your creams and lotions smooth and stable, but it is synthetic and may be less suitable for those seeking fully natural formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Beauty ingredient research
Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.
20769
Reviewed ingredients
524
Low-concern standouts
2884
Need usage caution
Steareth-14 is a reliable emulsifier that helps keep your creams and lotions smooth and stable, but it is synthetic and may be less suitable for those seeking fully natural formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Steareth-15 is a reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions, but it is synthetic and may not appeal to those seeking natural ingredients.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Steareth-16 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A reliable emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare products with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without common irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Steareth-20 is a reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions, but it may be contaminated with potentially irritating 1,4-dioxane during manufacturing.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic thickener and emulsifier that helps stabilize formulas but may feel heavy on oily skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Steareth-21 is a reliable synthetic emulsifier that creates smooth, stable creams and lotions, but it may be less appealing to those seeking fully natural formulations.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Steareth-25 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps keep creams and lotions stable, but it may be less eco-friendly due to its ethoxylated nature.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Steareth-27 is a mild, non-irritating emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare and haircare products.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Steareth-3 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, making creams and lotions smooth and stable.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Steareth-30 is a widely used emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that stabilizes creamy formulas without common irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Steareth-40 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Steareth-5 is a gentle emulsifier that helps water and oil mix in your products, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without heavy irritation or pore-clogging concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Steareth-50 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and cleansers, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A reliable emulsifier that creates smooth, stable creams without common irritation concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Steareth-7 is a well-tolerated synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare products.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Steareth-8 is a common synthetic emulsifier that helps products feel smooth, but it may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Steareth-80 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in products, but its ethoxylation process may raise mild purity concerns for some users.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps water and oil mix, making creams and lotions smooth and stable.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle fatty acid that helps thicken and stabilize creams while softening skin, but may clog pores for some people.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Stearone is a waxy emollient that helps stabilize and thicken formulas, but it's not a star active ingredient.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Stearoptenes are natural waxy solids from essential oils that help moisturize and stabilize skincare formulas, but they are not a standalone active ingredient.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle silicone that smooths skin and hair without a heavy feel, but offers no active skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle silicone polymer that helps products glide on smoothly and stay put without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic conditioning agent that softens hair and skin but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves manageability in hair products, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, with low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Viscosity Controlling
Stearoyl Dihydroxy Isobutylamide Stearate
A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps give creams and sticks a smooth, non-greasy feel with low irritation risk.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Stearoyl Epoxy Resin is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and feel smoother, but it offers no skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting your skin's natural barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that improves product feel and stability without common irritation concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare products while offering gentle skin conditioning and barrier support.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while respecting the skin barrier, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that stabilizes creams and lotions without common irritation concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves manageability without heavy buildup.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
An effective conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and reduces static, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Hair Conditioning Agent
STEARTRIMONIUM HYDROXYETHYL HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN
A gentle conditioning ingredient that makes hair and skin feel softer without heavy buildup.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and soften hair without heavy buildup.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting your skin's natural balance.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild, amino-acid-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle fatty alcohol that helps thicken and soften products without drying or irritating the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle silicone that smooths hair and softens skin without heavy buildup, but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Stearyl Beeswax is a gentle, plant-friendly wax that gives creams and balms a smooth, stable texture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle waxy emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Stearyl Benzoate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, with low irritation potential.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, conditioning surfactant that cleanses without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin and hair.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, non-irritating wax ester that improves texture and stability in balms and sticks.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Hair Conditioner
Stearyl Dihydroxypropyldimonium Oligosaccharides
A gentle, sugar-based conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and lightly hydrates skin without greasiness.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic