Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

An effective foam booster and thickener, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and raises some environmental concerns.

Tallow betaine is a mild, naturally-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

A gentle, animal-derived surfactant that helps cleansers feel less stripping, but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

Tallowamide DEA is a foam booster and thickener from animal fat, but it may cause irritation and has raised concerns over potential contamination with cancer-causing impurities.

A semi-synthetic foam booster from animal fat that can improve lather but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A mild, animal-derived surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, but may not suit vegans or those avoiding animal ingredients.

An effective foaming and cleansing agent derived from animal fat, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and raises ethical concerns for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.

Tallowaminopropylamine is a fatty amine from animal fat that helps condition hair and stabilize formulas, but it may be irritating for sensitive skin and is not suitable for vegans.

Talloweth-18 is an effective emulsifier derived from animal fat, but its moderate irritation and comedogenic potential make it better suited for rinse-off cleansers than leave-on products.

Talloweth-4 is a functional but controversial emulsifier—effective for cleansing but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and raises ethical concerns due to its animal-derived origin.

Talloweth-6 is a workhorse emulsifier in cleansers, but its animal-derived origin and potential for mild irritation may not suit all preferences.

Talloweth-7 is a functional but controversial emulsifier — effective at blending ingredients but derived from animal fat and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

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

An effective but potentially drying cleanser that works well for oily skin but may irritate sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a good choice 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 gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create stable, lightweight formulas without heavy residue.

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

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

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

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

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

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

TEA-Stearate helps cleansers foam and creams stay smooth, but it may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

TEA-Tallate helps cleansers foam and remove oil, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A behind-the-scenes helper that boosts cleansing power and prevents mineral buildup, but is generally safe in rinse-off formulas.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers, generally well-tolerated but not a standout active ingredient.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

An effective cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in products without stripping the skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

An effective emulsifier and surfactant, but may cause irritation in sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

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

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, with a low irritation profile.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and lotions mix and rinse cleanly, but may be too stripping for very dry or sensitive skin.

Trideceth-18 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in products, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

Trideceth-2 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, commonly used in cleansers and shampoos for mild cleansing without stripping.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without heavy residue.

Trideceth-3 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin types.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated but not a standout active ingredient.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally safe but may be drying for very sensitive skin.

A gentle, synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cleansers and lotions without stripping the skin.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and lotions mix oil and water without stripping the skin.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, often used in mild formulas.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps products spread and rinse cleanly, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.

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

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, commonly used in cleansers and shampoos.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, with low irritation potential.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.

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

Trilaurylamine is a synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in rinse-off products, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but may be drying for very sensitive skin.

A gentle synthetic dispersant that helps pigments and sunscreen actives spread evenly without irritation.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps products spread and rinse cleanly, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

Undeceth-3 is a gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.