Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, PEG-based emulsifier that helps mix oil and water without stripping the skin.

PEG-10 Soy Sterol is a mild, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare products while adding a soft, non-greasy feel.

PEG-10 Soyamine is an effective emulsifier but may be moderately irritating and comedogenic, so it's best suited for rinse-off products.

A synthetic helper ingredient that keeps oil and water mixed, but offers no direct skin benefit.

PEG-10 Stearamine is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, but it may be moderately irritating or comedogenic for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and soften hair, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, sunflower-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without common irritation.

PEG-10 Tallate is a cleansing and emulsifying ingredient derived from tall oil, but its PEG component and potential impurities raise mild safety considerations for sensitive skin.

A semi-synthetic surfactant and conditioner that can improve texture but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A silicone polymer that helps products feel silky and stay put, but may not suit those avoiding silicones or seeking fully biodegradable ingredients.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emulsifier derived from camellia oil that helps blend water and oil in your products without stripping the skin.

A reliable silicone emulsifier that creates smooth, lightweight textures without clogging pores.

PEG-100 Castor Oil is a reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, but it may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

A reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

PEG-100 Lanolin is a water-friendly version of lanolin that softens skin and helps blend oil and water, but it may clog pores for some and raises concerns about potential impurities from the PEG process.

A lab-made peptide inspired by bee venom that aims to smooth and firm skin, but human research is very limited.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and leaves a light, flexible film on skin or hair.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, but its PEG component raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

A gentle film-forming polymer that helps ingredients spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A widely used synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, smooth creams but may be less ideal for very sensitive or acne-prone skin in high concentrations.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put longer, especially in water-resistant formulas.

A gentle synthetic conditioning agent that helps detangle hair and improve product feel without heavy buildup.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water while adding a touch of avocado-derived nourishment.

A mild, plant-based emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare formulas while leaving skin feeling soft.

PEG-11 Castor Oil is a gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and shampoos, but its PEG component raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

An effective cleansing agent that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, best suited for rinse-off formulas.

A gentle, PEG-modified cocoa butter derivative that helps blend oil and water in formulas while adding a touch of cocoa butter's moisturizing feel.

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

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

PEG-11 Oleate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, but it may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin and has moderate comedogenic potential.

PEG-11 Tallow Amine is an effective emulsifier but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and raises ethical concerns due to its animal-derived origin.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and skincare last longer and feel smoother, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle film-forming ingredient that helps lock in moisture and improve product texture, but research on its long-term effects is still limited.

PEG-115M is a gentle synthetic thickener that gives products a smooth, silky feel without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A modified silk protein that forms a lightweight film on skin, offering temporary smoothing and moisture retention, but with limited independent research on this specific PEGylated form.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put, but offers no active skincare benefit.

PEG-12 Beeswax is a gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare products, but its PEG component raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

A gentle, water-friendly wax that helps products feel smooth and spread easily without clogging pores.

An effective cleansing and emulsifying ingredient, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin due to its surfactant nature.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare, generally well-tolerated but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

PEG-12 Dilaurate is a safe, widely used emulsifier that helps products spread smoothly, but it may not suit those avoiding synthetic ingredients.

A gentle silicone that smooths skin and hair without heavy greasiness, but may not suit those avoiding silicones entirely.

A gentle silicone polymer that creates a smooth, velvety feel on skin without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A silicone polymer that helps products feel silky, spread evenly, and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A silicone polymer that creates a smooth, breathable film on skin, improving product feel and wear without clogging pores.

PEG-12 Dioleate is a reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but its production may involve trace impurities that some people prefer to avoid.

PEG-12 Ditallate is a synthetic cleanser ingredient that effectively removes dirt and oil, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas, but its PEG component raises minor purity concerns for sensitive skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oils and water in creams and lotions, generally well-tolerated but not a star active ingredient.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

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

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in formulas while providing mild skin conditioning from linoleic acid.

PEG-12 Isostearate is a safe, effective emulsifier that helps products feel smooth, but its PEG origin raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

PEG-12 Lanolate is a gentle, water-friendly lanolin derivative that helps blend oil and water in formulas, but it may clog pores for some and raises environmental concerns due to PEGs.

PEG-12 Laurate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin.

A silicone-based conditioning agent that smooths hair and skin, but may build up with frequent use.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare formulas, but its PEG backbone raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

PEG-12 Palmitamine is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may cause irritation or clog pores for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.