Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

Deceth-4 is a mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but it may cause slight dryness for sensitive skin.

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

Deceth-5 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, but it may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin.

Deceth-6 is a synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse clean, but it may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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

Deceth-8 is a mild cleansing agent that helps foaming and emulsifying, but may cause irritation in sensitive skin at high concentrations.

Deceth-9 is a synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin in high concentrations.

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

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

A synthetic dispersant that helps pigments spread evenly and stay stable in makeup and sunscreen.

A gentle surfactant that helps create rich foam and thicken formulas without stripping the skin.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your skincare products without causing irritation or clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without common irritation.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle surfactant that helps create rich foam and improves cleansing without stripping the skin.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps foaming and cleansing, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, phosphate-based surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.

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

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping, but may cause irritation in sensitive skin at high concentrations.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps rinse away dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may be too heavy for fine or oily hair and can cause irritation in sensitive skin.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and cleansers, generally considered safe for most skin types.

Dicocodimonium Chloride is a synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

An effective foam booster that has raised safety concerns due to possible diethanolamine (DEA) contamination; best used in rinse-off products if at all.

An effective synthetic cleanser that helps remove oil and dirt, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types.

An effective cleansing agent that can be drying for some skin types, but generally safe when formulated properly.

An effective conditioning agent for dry or damaged hair, but may be too heavy for fine hair or oily skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleansing ingredient that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather while being less stripping than traditional sulfates.

A gentle, conditioning surfactant that helps create rich foam without stripping the skin or hair.

An effective cleanser and antistatic agent from tallow, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps condition skin and improve the feel of cleansers without stripping moisture.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps create rich foam and improve cleansing texture, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that helps create a rich lather and improve cleansing without stripping the skin.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

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

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

A gentle, conditioning surfactant that cleanses without stripping, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle silicone-coconut hybrid that helps mix oil and water, leaving skin and hair feeling soft without heavy residue.

A gentle silicone-based cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil while leaving hair and skin feeling soft, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

A coconut-derived surfactant that helps cleanse and condition, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic foam booster that improves lather and thickness in cleansers, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Dimethyl Lauramine is a synthetic emulsifier and pH adjuster that helps blend oil and water in rinse-off cleansers, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

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

An effective emulsifier and surfactant for rinse-off products, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps soften hair and stabilize formulas, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oils and water, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, ideal for sensitive skin.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps at higher concentrations.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleanse and stabilize formulas, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Dioleyl Phosphate is a mild synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in formulas, generally considered safe and low-irritation for most skin types.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may be too heavy for fine or oily hair types.

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

A mild, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

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

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

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin barrier.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.