Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

A gentle, low-irritation cleansing ingredient that effectively removes impurities while being kind to 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, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth the skin with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

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

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from coconut oil and lauryl alcohol, ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

A gentle, plant-derived emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without being overly harsh, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

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

A lightweight silicone that improves product feel and spreadability, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

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

A silicone polymer that improves product feel and spreadability without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone-based ingredient that forms a breathable, water-resistant film to smooth skin and hair without clogging pores.

A gentle synthetic conditioner that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup, but is not widely studied on its own.

A gentle synthetic ester that helps soften and smooth the skin without feeling greasy.

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

A mild, biodegradable surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin barrier.

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

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning agent that softens hair and skin without heavy buildup, ideal for sensitive scalps and daily use.

A gentle, oil-soluble vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals with less sting than pure L-ascorbic acid.

Lauryl Glycol is a gentle skin-conditioning ingredient that helps improve product texture and feel without common irritation.

A gentle, semi-synthetic ingredient that helps blend oil and water in formulas while leaving skin feeling smooth.

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, sulfate-free surfactant that creates a rich lather without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product feel and stability with a very low risk of irritation.

An effective preservative but can be irritating for sensitive skin; best limited to rinse-off products.

A synthetic antistatic and preservative ingredient with limited safety data; best avoided by those with sensitive skin or allergies.

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

Lauryl Lactate is a gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth, making it a great choice for lightweight moisturizers.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient derived from lactic acid that softens skin without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth, with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps condition skin and stabilize formulas, but research on its long-term effects is limited.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare products feel smooth and last longer, but it's not a hydrating or active ingredient.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put without feeling heavy or greasy.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.

A safe synthetic thickener that improves product texture and stability without common irritation concerns.

A gentle silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, with very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable formulas without heavy or greasy feel.

A mild, sugar-derived conditioner that detangles and softens hair without the heavy feel of silicones.

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

Lauryl Myristate is a reliable emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, but it may clog pores for acne-prone individuals.

Lauryl Oleate is a gentle emollient that softens skin but may be moderately pore-clogging for acne-prone individuals.

A mild, olive-derived cleansing agent that cleans without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A synthetic preservative booster that helps keep products fresh but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Lauryl Palmitate is a gentle emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, with low irritation and comedogenic risk.

Lauryl PCA is a mild, skin-friendly surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability without clogging pores.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, spreadable formulas without heavy residue.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky, with a good safety profile for most skin types.

A silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly, resist water, and last longer, but may feel heavy on oily skin.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, spreadable formulas without a greasy feel.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and stability, generally safe for most skin types.

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, spreadable formulas without a greasy feel.

A gentle silicone that smooths skin and improves product feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle silicone that smooths skin and hair without a heavy or greasy feel, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

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

A gentle silicone emulsifier that creates smooth, spreadable textures without clogging pores.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that creates stable, lightweight textures without stripping the skin.

Lauryl Pyrrolidone is a synthetic ingredient that helps other actives absorb better while smoothing the skin, but its penetration-enhancing effect means it should be used with care in formulations.

A silicone crosspolymer that helps products spread smoothly, feel silky, and stay put without clogging pores.