Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

A gentle, PEG-based surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may raise environmental concerns due to its synthetic nature.

A mild, silicone-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild synthetic cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin types.

A highly effective, photostable UVA filter that is gentle on skin and widely used in sunscreens.

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

A gentle, water-soluble antioxidant that helps even skin tone and defend against pollution without the stability issues of natural phloretin.

Disodium phosphate is a safe, widely used pH adjuster that helps maintain product stability and comfort on skin.

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without the harshness of traditional sulfates, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant ideal for sensitive skin and baby care formulations.

A safe, functional stabilizer that helps your products stay effective and gentle by controlling pH and binding unwanted minerals.

A gentle, castor-oil-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively with low irritation potential, ideal for sensitive skin.

A gentle, water-soluble antioxidant that helps calm skin and protect against environmental stress, with a good safety profile.

A milder, phosphate-modified form of salicylic acid that aims to exfoliate and brighten skin with less irritation.

Disodium Sebacate is a gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it suitable for sensitive skin types.

A gentle, soap-like cleanser that effectively removes oil and makeup without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, amino-acid based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

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

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

A gentle, non-stripping surfactant ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, conditioning surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, non-stripping cleanser that helps maintain skin's moisture barrier while effectively removing dirt and oil.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A mild, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

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

Disodium succinate is a gentle pH adjuster and mild humectant that helps maintain product stability without irritating skin.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good option for sensitive skin.

A gentle, biodegradable surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

A mild, low-irritation cleansing ingredient that helps create a rich foam and thicken formulas without stripping the skin.

A mild, biodegradable cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle surfactant that cleanses effectively but is less common in modern formulations due to availability and preference for plant-based alternatives.

A mild to moderate cleansing agent from animal fat; effective but may not suit all skin types.

A gentle, animal-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively with low irritation potential, but may not suit those avoiding animal ingredients.

A gentle, animal-derived surfactant that cleans effectively but may not suit those avoiding animal ingredients.

An effective cleanser from animal fat, but may be drying for sensitive skin and raises ethical concerns for some users.

Disodium tartrate is a gentle pH adjuster and chelator that helps keep formulas stable and effective without irritating skin.

A gentle chelating agent that helps your products stay effective longer by neutralizing hard-water minerals.

A lab-made compound that mimics a skin-signaling peptide to help improve firmness and smoothness, but human studies are limited.

A synthetic peptide-like ingredient that may help soften expression lines, but research is limited and results vary.

An effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying for sensitive skin; best suited for normal to oily skin types.

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A water-friendly version of CoQ10 that delivers antioxidant protection and may help energize aging skin without the greasy feel of traditional CoQ10.

A mild, castor-oil-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

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

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

A gentle nucleotide that may help energize skin cells and support repair, but human studies are still limited.

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

A gentle, wheat-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses gently, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, soy-derived conditioning ingredient that helps hair feel soft and smooth without weighing it down.

Disoyamine is a functional surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but it may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A synthetic blue dye that adds vibrant color to wash-off products but offers no skincare benefit and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Disperse Red 17 is a synthetic dye that adds red tones to cosmetics but may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Disperse Violet 1 is a synthetic dye that adds violet color to cosmetics, but it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic violet dye used for color in cosmetics, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it's not a standout ingredient.