Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

PEG-12 Tallate is a functional emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin types.

A synthetic humectant that helps hydrate skin without feeling sticky, but research on its long-term effects is limited.

A safe, widely used thickener that gives cleansers and lotions a rich, creamy texture without clogging pores or irritating skin.

A reliable, low-irritation emulsifier that gives cleansers and creams a smooth, creamy texture.

A mild, non-drying surfactant that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin or scalp.

A mild, non-stripping surfactant that cleanses without disrupting the skin barrier.

A mild, non-stripping cleanser that helps create a rich lather without drying out the skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in formulas, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel smooth and spread easily, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse clean, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

An effective emulsifier with a controversial animal-derived origin; modern alternatives are widely preferred.

A mild, sunflower-derived emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in your skincare products without stripping the skin.

PEG-130 Glyceryl Tallowate is a reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but its animal-derived origin and PEG processing may raise concerns for some users.

PEG-135 is a safe, widely used thickener and emulsifier, but its production may involve potentially concerning impurities that are tightly regulated.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put, resist water, and feel smooth on skin or hair.

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and creates a temporary, peelable film — generally safe but not a must-have ingredient.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare formulas while adding a touch of avocado-derived conditioning.

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

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, generally safe but may be too heavy for very oily skin in high concentrations.

PEG-14 Oleate is a safe, widely used emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, but may be best avoided by those with very sensitive or compromised skin.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that stabilizes creams and lotions, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

A functional emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, but may be slightly irritating for sensitive skin and has moderate comedogenic potential.

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

A synthetic humectant that helps retain moisture and improve product texture, but offers no unique benefits over more common alternatives.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures, but offers no direct skin benefit.

PEG-15 Castor Oil is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cleansers, but its PEG component raises mild environmental and purity concerns.

PEG-15 Cocamine helps mix oil and water and reduces static in hair, but may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin.

An effective cleansing agent but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, especially in high concentrations.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally considered safe at low concentrations.

An effective antistatic and conditioning agent for hair, but may cause irritation for sensitive scalps at higher concentrations.

A gentle surfactant that cleanses without stripping, often used to soften the feel of stronger cleansers.

PEG-15 Cocopolyamine is a synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and reduce static in hair, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic preservative booster that helps prevent microbial growth but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

An effective emulsifier but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin types.

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

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

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, generally well-tolerated but best for rinse-off products due to potential residue.

A reliable emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your products, but it's synthetic and may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in products, generally well-tolerated but may be drying for very sensitive skin.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that keeps creams and lotions stable, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

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

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

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in skincare products, generally well-tolerated but may be too heavy for very oily skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cosmetics, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle, modified lanolin that moisturizes and helps blend water and oil, but may be too heavy for acne-prone skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive or acne-prone individuals.

An effective hair conditioner and antistatic agent, but may cause irritation or clog pores for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A reliable emulsifier that helps oil and water mix in your skincare, but it's synthetic and may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant derived from jojoba oil that helps cleanse without stripping the skin.

A gentle emulsifier derived from jojoba oil that helps blend water and oil in formulas, generally well-tolerated but may not suit ultra-sensitive skin.

PEG-15 Lanolate is a gentle emulsifier derived from lanolin, but it may clog pores for acne-prone skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put and resist water, generally safe but not a skincare active.

PEG-15 Oleamine is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may be irritating for sensitive skin and has moderate comedogenic potential.

A synthetic conditioning agent that reduces static and improves feel in hair products, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

PEG-15 Oleate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin and has moderate comedogenic potential.

A synthetic, mild surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but it's not a standout ingredient for most routines.

A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that helps stabilize formulas and may support skin barrier function without clogging pores.

PEG-15 Soyamine is an effective emulsifier but may cause irritation in sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.