Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Laureth-6 is a gentle surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but it may be too drying for very sensitive or dry skin if used in high concentrations.

Laureth-6 Citrate is a gentle, citrate-modified surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Laureth-7 is a mild surfactant and emulsifier that helps products spread and rinse cleanly, but it is not a star active ingredient for skin benefits.

A gentle surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

Laureth-7 Tartrate is a gentle surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin types.

Laureth-8 is a workhorse emulsifier that helps products spread and rinse clean, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin in high concentrations.

Laureth-8 Phosphate is a mild, semi-synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin, but it may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

Laureth-9 is a common cleansing and emulsifying agent, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

A mild, conditioning cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild surfactant and chelating agent that helps cleanse and stabilize formulas, but may cause slight irritation in sensitive skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps products spread smoothly and rinse off cleanly, with low irritation potential.

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

A gentle surfactant that helps create a creamy lather and reduces the harshness of stronger cleansers, but is rarely used as a standalone ingredient.

A gentle, biodegradable surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin and the environment.

An effective cleansing agent that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

An effective cleansing and antistatic agent, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types, especially at higher concentrations.

Lecithinamide DEA is a surfactant that helps create rich lather, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

Linoleamide DEA is a synthetic foam booster and thickener that can improve the lather of cleansers, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin and has raised some safety concerns due to its DEA content.

A foam booster and thickener for cleansers, but may be mildly irritating and potentially pore-clogging for some skin types.

Linoleamide MIPA is a synthetic surfactant that helps create rich foam in cleansers, but it may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based pH adjuster that helps keep cleansers and toners gentle while supporting skin’s natural barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle, water-friendly emollient that adds slip and softness without greasiness, ideal for rinse-off and leave-on products.

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

Meroxapol 105 is a synthetic ingredient that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A mild synthetic ingredient that helps mix oil and water in cleansers, but offers no direct skin benefit.

Meroxapol 172 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cleansers and lotions, with low irritation potential.

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

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but offers no active skincare benefits.

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

Meroxapol 252 is a gentle synthetic surfactant that helps blend oil and water in cleansers, but it offers no direct skin benefit beyond cleansing.

Meroxapol 254 is a gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and stabilize formulas, but it's not a star active ingredient.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps blend oil and water in cleansers, generally considered gentle and low-irritation.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps blend oil and water in cleansers, with low irritation potential.

Meroxapol 311 is a gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but it offers no direct skin benefit beyond cleansing.

Meroxapol 312 is a gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but it offers no direct skin benefit beyond cleansing.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps blend oil and water in cleansers, with low irritation potential.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A dual-action ingredient that helps sunscreen spread evenly while adding a modest UV boost, but it is not a standalone sun protectant.

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

A gentle, milk-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather while being kinder to skin than many traditional cleansers.

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

Minkamide DEA is a foam booster from mink oil, but it's rarely used today due to ethical concerns and potential irritation.

Minkamidopropyl Betaine is an effective mild cleanser, but its animal-derived source and moderate comedogenic risk make it less suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

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

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

Myreth-10 is a gentle cleansing agent that helps products foam and rinse cleanly, but it is synthetic and may be drying for very sensitive skin.

A gentle cleansing agent that helps products foam and rinse cleanly, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

Myreth-5 is a gentle synthetic cleanser that helps products foam and rinse cleanly, but it may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

Myristamide DEA is a synthetic foam booster that can make cleansers feel richer, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin and has raised some environmental concerns.

Myristamide DIPA is a synthetic foam booster that helps create a rich lather, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin types.

A mild foam booster that helps cleansers feel richer, but offers no direct skin benefit beyond texture.

Myristamide MIPA helps create rich lather in cleansers but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

A mild, effective surfactant that helps create rich foam and improve product texture without stripping the skin.

A gentle surfactant that helps create rich lather and improve product texture without stripping the skin.

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