Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

PEG-4 Laurate is a workhorse emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may be mildly irritating or pore-clogging for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A gentle synthetic solvent and humectant that helps other ingredients dissolve and spread, but offers no unique skin benefit on its own.

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

PEG-4 Oleamide helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, but its synthetic nature and potential for irritation make it a cautious choice for sensitive skin.

PEG-4 Oleate helps mix oil and water in products, but may be slightly irritating or pore-clogging for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A gentle, olive-derived emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in cleansers and creams, with low irritation potential.

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

A gentle, semi-synthetic emulsifier that creates stable, creamy textures with low irritation potential.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emulsifier that creates stable, creamy textures with low irritation potential.

A gentle, semi-synthetic moisturizer that helps reinforce the skin barrier and improve hydration without clogging pores.

A gentle, semi-synthetic conditioning ingredient that may support skin barrier function, but research is limited and it's not a star performer on its own.

A gentle, plant-based cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without common irritation concerns.

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

A synthetic helper that blends oil and water in your products, but offers no direct skin benefit.

PEG-4 Stearate is a safe, widely used emulsifier that helps products feel smooth, but it may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

PEG-4 Tallate is a functional emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin and has moderate comedogenic potential.

A silicone polymer that helps products spread smoothly and resist water, but it's synthetic and not biodegradable.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without common irritation concerns.

A synthetic film-former used in nail products; effective for durability but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no direct skin benefit.

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

A gentle, coconut-derived emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.

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

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

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

A reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin.

PEG-40 is a workhorse emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin at high concentrations.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in your skincare, but may feel heavy on very oily or acne-prone skin.

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

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in your products, but may feel heavy on very oily skin.

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

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

A functional emulsifier that can help blend oils and water, but may be too heavy or irritating for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A reliable emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without common irritation.

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and creams, with a low risk of irritation.

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

A gentle, water-friendly emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and cleansers, but may not suit those with wool allergies.

PEG-40 Methyl Ether is a synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin types.

A mild, olive-derived emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic polymer that helps products spread smoothly and form a light, flexible film on skin, but offers no active skincare benefits.

PEG-40 Ricinoleamide is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers, but it may not suit those avoiding PEG compounds.

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

A reliable, low-irritation emulsifier that helps blend oils and water, but may not suit those with lanolin sensitivity.

A reliable emulsifier that keeps formulas stable, but may be too heavy for very oily or acne-prone skin.

A widely used synthetic emulsifier that is generally safe and non-irritating for most skin types.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water, generally well-tolerated but may not suit those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

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

A gentle, widely used emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without common irritation.

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

A well-tolerated emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures while offering mild skin conditioning.

PEG-400 is a widely used synthetic ingredient that helps dissolve other ingredients and improve texture, but its safety depends on purity and molecular weight.

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

A gentle synthetic polymer that helps stabilize formulas and gives a smooth, non-greasy feel.

A mild, semi-synthetic emulsifier derived from babassu oil that helps blend water and oil in cleansers and creams without stripping the skin.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas, but research on its unique mushroom-derived benefits is still limited.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps create a smooth, non-greasy gel texture in skincare and haircare products, with a low irritation profile.

A gentle, water-soluble emulsifier that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.