A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-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
A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may be too drying for very sensitive or compromised skin barriers.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may not be suitable for ultra-sensitive skin in high concentrations.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-stripping surfactant that effectively cleanses while being kind to sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a common choice for mild formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and creams feel smooth, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle, effective surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin types.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle cleansing agent that also helps keep products fresh, but it's not a standalone preservative.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Emollient
C12-14 HYDROXYALKYL HYDROXYDIMERDILINOLEYL ETHER
A gentle, synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Surfactant
C12-14 HYDROXYALKYL HYDROXYETHYL BETA-ALANINE
A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, 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
A mild, sugar-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while being kind to sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, fast-evaporating solvent that helps products spread smoothly without leaving a greasy feel.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, effective cleansing ingredient that helps products foam and rinse clean without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle cleansing ingredient that helps products foam and rinse clean without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A common synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
An effective cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying for sensitive or very dry skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A workhorse cleansing ingredient that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying or irritating for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water, but may cause mild irritation for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
An effective cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
An effective cleansing agent that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, but generally safe in well-formulated products.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse clean, but may be drying for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify, but may be drying for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may not suit ultra-sensitive skin in high concentrations.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
An effective cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping, but may cause mild irritation in sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, synthetic emollient that makes products feel silky without clogging pores—safe and widely used.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, commonly used to improve product texture and spreadability.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, making it a good choice for oily and combination skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic oil that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without greasiness.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin types.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping, but may cause mild irritation for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping, but may cause irritation in sensitive skin at higher concentrations.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps water and oil mix in your products, making them feel smooth and stable.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, low-irritation cleansing agent that helps blend oil and water, making it a reliable choice for sensitive skin formulations.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A common synthetic emulsifier that helps products rinse cleanly, but may be slightly drying or irritating for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without a greasy feel.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be slightly drying or irritating for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers work effectively, but may be drying or irritating for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse clean, but may be drying for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A common synthetic emulsifier that helps blend water and oil, but may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle, effective cleansing ingredient that helps remove impurities while being less harsh than traditional sulfates.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may cause slight irritation in sensitive individuals.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A common synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse clean, but may be drying for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic