Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

An effective foaming cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, but is generally considered safe in rinse-off products.

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

TEA-Canolate is a mild cleansing agent from canola oil, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

A safe, effective thickener that gives your skincare products a pleasant gel or cream texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleansing ingredient that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin.

A coconut-derived surfactant that cleans effectively but may be drying for sensitive skin.

TEA-Cocoate is a gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but it may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while respecting the skin barrier — ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, coconut-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that also conditions skin and hair, but may not be ideal for very dry or sensitive scalps in high concentrations.

A mild, protein-based surfactant that cleanses gently while helping hair and skin feel soft and conditioned.

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes impurities while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, starch-based ingredient that improves product feel and stability without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create stable, lightweight formulas without heavy residue.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare products, with low irritation potential.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

An effective but potentially drying surfactant best suited for rinse-off cleansers, not for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle humectant that helps hydrate and condition skin without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A mild cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while being gentle on the skin barrier.

TEA-Isostearate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps cleanse and stabilize formulas, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, modified collagen that helps hair and skin feel smooth and conditioned, but its benefits are mostly temporary and surface-level.

A gentle surfactant that cleans without stripping, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

A gentle surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, suitable for sensitive skin types.

TEA-Laurate helps create lather and remove dirt, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic cleansing agent that can be effective but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A milder alternative to SLS that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin as harshly, but may still cause irritation for sensitive skin.

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

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

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes impurities while respecting the skin’s natural barrier.

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

A mild, protein-derived surfactant that cleanses gently while helping hair and skin feel soft and conditioned.

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that effectively cleanses while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

TEA-Lauryl Ether is an effective cleansing agent but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

A gentle, phosphate-based surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, suitable for sensitive skin types.

An effective but potentially drying cleanser that may irritate sensitive skin.

A gentle surfactant that helps create a rich, creamy lather while being less stripping than many common cleansers.

TEA-Myristate helps cleansers foam and mix oil with water, but it may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle cleansing and conditioning ingredient derived from collagen, best for rinse-off products like shampoos and body washes.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that helps create a creamy lather without stripping the skin's moisture barrier.

TEA-Oleate is an effective cleanser but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, especially in high concentrations.

A mild cleansing and conditioning ingredient that can help clean skin and hair without stripping, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle, sulfate-based cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

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

TEA-Palmitate helps cleansers foam and creams feel smooth, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

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

A synthetic emulsifier that helps water-resistant formulas spread evenly, but its fluorinated chemistry raises environmental persistence concerns.

A widely used, water-soluble UVB filter that is generally gentle on skin but offers no UVA protection on its own.

A promising but under-researched ingredient that may support skin repair and brightness by aiding sulfur-based processes in the skin.

A synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify, but may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.