Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Isostearamide DEA helps create rich lather and thick texture in cleansers, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

Isostearamide MEA is a mild synthetic ingredient that helps create rich lather and thicker textures in cleansers, but it offers no direct skin benefit beyond formulation.

A gentle surfactant that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin.

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

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

Isosteareth-15 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare products, with a low risk of irritation or clogging pores.

Isosteareth-16 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and lotions mix and rinse cleanly, with low irritation potential.

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps mix oil and water, commonly used in rinse-off products for its mild cleansing and emulsifying properties.

Isosteareth-3 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, but it's an ethoxylate, which raises mild purity concerns for some users.

Isosteareth-5 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, with a low risk of irritation or clogging pores.

A gentle cleansing and emulsifying ingredient that helps mix oil and water, making it useful in cleansers and shampoos without stripping the skin.

Isosteareth-8 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but its PEG content raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

A mild synthetic conditioner that helps rinse-off products feel softer without heavy buildup.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle, non-stripping emulsifier derived from jojoba wax that helps cleanse without drying out the skin.

A gentle, water-soluble cleanser derived from jojoba wax that effectively removes oil and makeup without stripping the skin.

A gentle, protein-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping, making it a good choice for sensitive skin or damaged hair.

Lactamide DEA helps products feel creamy and foamy, but it's a synthetic ingredient with limited research on long-term skin benefits.

Laneth-4 Phosphate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

Laneth-5 is a gentle, lanolin-derived ingredient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, but those with wool allergies should patch-test first.

Lanolinamide DEA helps create rich lather and stabilize mixtures, but it may be mildly irritating or comedogenic for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Lapyrium chloride is a synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and condition hair and skin, but it may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.

Lauramide helps create rich lather and thicken cleansers, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

Lauramide DEA is an effective foam booster but has moderate irritation potential and environmental concerns, making it less popular in modern formulations.

Lauramide DIPA helps create rich lather in cleansers but may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin.

Lauramide MEA helps create rich lather and thick texture in cleansers, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

Lauramide MIPA helps create rich lather in cleansers but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

An effective foam booster and thickener, but its potential to form nitrosamines makes it a controversial choice in modern formulations.

A gentle, coconut-based surfactant that helps cleansers lather without stripping the skin.

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

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

A gentle surfactant that helps create rich foam and stabilize formulas, but may cause mild irritation in sensitive skin at high concentrations.

A mild cleansing agent that helps foam and rinse away dirt, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin.

Lauraminopropylamine is a synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and condition hair and skin, but it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

A gentle, conditioning cleanser that helps hair and skin feel soft without stripping natural oils.

A mild, phosphate-based surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may not suit ultra-sensitive types.

A gentle cleansing and emulsifying ingredient that helps products rinse clean without stripping the skin, but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated compounds.

Laureth-100 is a gentle, high-foam surfactant and emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and serums, with a very low irritation profile.

Laureth-11 is a gentle surfactant and emulsifier that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin formulations.

Laureth-13 is a synthetic cleansing agent that helps products foam and rinse clean, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that helps cleansers foam and remove dirt without stripping the skin.

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

Laureth-15 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps products spread and foam, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

Laureth-16 is a gentle surfactant and emulsifier that helps products foam and rinse cleanly, but it may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

Laureth-20 is a common cleansing and emulsifying ingredient that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, especially in high concentrations.

Laureth-23 is a reliable emulsifier but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

A gentle cleansing agent that helps products foam and rinse clean without stripping the skin.

A gentle, effective cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may not suit those with very sensitive or compromised barriers.

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

Laureth-4 is an effective emulsifier and cleanser, but it can be moderately irritating and potentially pore-clogging for some skin types.

Laureth-4 Phosphate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A mild cleansing and emulsifying agent, but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Laureth-5 is a mild cleansing and emulsifying agent, but may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Laureth-5 Butyl Ether is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, large-molecule surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, but may not be ideal for those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.