Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

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 gentle emulsifier that helps water and oil mix, making creams and lotions smooth and stable.

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 emulsifier that helps oil and water mix, making creams and cleansers feel smooth without heavy residue.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare formulas, generally well-tolerated but not a star active ingredient.

Isosteareth-22 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and cleansers, with a low risk of irritation.

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.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky without clogging pores, suitable for most skin types.

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.

A gentle surfactant that helps cleansers foam and remove dirt without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

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

Isostearic acid is a gentle, non-greasy fatty acid that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas without clogging pores.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that softens and smooths skin without clogging pores, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A synthetic resin that helps makeup stay put, but offers no skincare benefit and may feel heavy on sensitive skin.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps skin and hair feel smooth and soft without being heavy.

A gentle, modified keratin that helps strengthen hair and reduce frizz without the harshness of some other protein treatments.

A gentle, modified silk protein that adds softness and shine to hair and skin without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves softness without heavy buildup.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but may feel heavy or tight on some skin types.

A synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, but research on its long-term effects is limited.

A synthetic soothing ingredient that mimics natural skin-signaling peptides to help reduce visible redness and discomfort.

A synthetic emollient that helps skin feel smooth and soft without being greasy, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Isostearyl Acetate is a lightweight emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth, but it may clog pores in acne-prone individuals.

A mild, amino-acid-based moisturizer that supports the skin’s natural hydration without clogging pores.

A gentle fatty alcohol that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that softens skin and helps restore the moisture barrier without clogging pores.

A mild, effective conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and improve hair manageability, but is less common in modern formulations.

Isostearyl Benzoate is a lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, with a low risk of irritation or clogging pores.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves texture and stability without common silicone downsides.

A mild, effective emulsifier that creates stable, silky formulas without stripping the skin — ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A gentle, conditioning surfactant that cleanses without stripping, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin and hair.

Isostearyl Erucate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that reduces static and smooths hair without heavy buildup, suitable for most hair types.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel smooth and soft without clogging pores.

A synthetic antistatic ingredient that helps reduce frizz and flyaways in hair products, but it offers no long-term repair or moisturizing benefits.

A gentle, oil-soluble antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and supports a more even-looking complexion.

A mild, sugar-based emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without irritating the skin.

A gentle synthetic emollient that hydrates and smooths skin without clogging pores, suitable for most skin types.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product feel without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

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

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, making it a good choice for oily or combination skin.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture.

A reliable emollient that makes skin feel soft, but may clog pores for those prone to breakouts.

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