Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend water and oil, but may clog pores for some skin types.

A gentle, palm-derived emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, but its environmental footprint and processing raise concerns for some users.

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

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that stabilizes formulas but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A gentle, water-friendly lanolin derivative that helps blend oil and water in formulas, but may not suit those with wool allergies.

PEG-20 Lanolin is a water-friendly version of lanolin that softens skin and helps blend oils and water, but it may clog pores for some and raises concerns about processing impurities.

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

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

A mild, plant-derived emulsifier that creates stable, creamy textures without common irritation.

A gentle, glucose-derived emulsifier that creates stable, non-greasy formulas with low irritation potential.

A gentle, glucose-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, non-greasy creams and cleansers with low irritation potential.

A gentle, glucose-derived emulsifier that stabilizes creamy formulas without common irritation.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps products feel smooth and stable, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

PEG-20 Oleamine is an effective emulsifier but may cause irritation for sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

A safe, effective emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in creams and cleansers, but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps keep your lotions and creams smooth and stable, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that improves skin hydration and helps blend water and oil in formulas.

A gentle, PEG-based emulsifier derived from coconut oil that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and creams without stripping the skin.

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

A gentle, widely used emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in skincare products without stripping the skin.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed in creams and lotions, generally well-tolerated but not biodegradable.

A mild, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, non-greasy lotions and creams while offering light skin conditioning.

A reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin.

PEG-20 Tallate is an effective emulsifier but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and raises ethical concerns due to its animal-derived source.

PEG-20 Tallow Amine is an effective emulsifier but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and raises ethical concerns due to its animal-derived origin.

A gentle cleansing and conditioning agent derived from animal fat, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and raises ethical concerns for vegans.

PEG-20 Tallowate is a functional emulsifier that helps products feel creamy, but its animal-derived origin and potential for trace impurities may not suit all preferences.

A mild, plant-based emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in formulas while providing light skin conditioning.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that keeps water and oil mixed in your creams and lotions, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A gentle, water-soluble emulsifier that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone types in high concentrations.

A reliable emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, but its PEG component raises mild purity concerns for some users.

A gentle cleansing agent derived from tallow that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and shampoos, but may be too stripping for very dry or sensitive skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and skincare products last longer and feel smoother, but it's not a hydrating or active ingredient.

A workhorse emulsifier that helps your cleanser and lotion stay smooth and stable, but it's synthetic and may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A synthetic thickener that gives creams and lotions a rich, velvety texture without clogging pores or irritating skin.

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

An effective emulsifier and surfactant, but its animal-derived origin and potential for mild irritation make it less popular in modern clean beauty.

A safe, synthetic film-former that improves wear time and water resistance without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, but with limited independent safety data.

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

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

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with a silky feel.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen last longer, but may feel heavy on some skin types.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare, but may not suit those avoiding PEGs.

A workhorse emulsifier that helps oil and water mix, but may not be ideal for very sensitive or reactive skin due to potential ethoxylation concerns.

A mild, olive-derived cleansing ingredient that helps lift dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that keeps water and oil mixed in your products, but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

A gentle, water-soluble lanolin derivative that helps blend oil and water in formulas while softening skin, but may not suit those with wool-wax allergies.

A gentle, water-soluble lanolin derivative that helps blend oil and water in formulas while adding mild conditioning.

PEG-240 is a safe, synthetic thickener that improves product texture but may be less eco-friendly than natural alternatives.

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, but may feel heavy or tight on sensitive skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare formulas, with mild conditioning benefits from avocado oil.

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

A gentle, water-soluble emulsifier derived from castor oil that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and shampoos.

A synthetic conditioning agent that helps reduce static and improve hair feel, but may cause buildup with frequent use.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures, but may not suit everyone due to its PEG origin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, with a low risk of irritation or clogging pores.

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.