Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic mineral salt that helps keep your skincare products stable and at the right pH, with a low risk of irritation.

Potassium Propionate is a mild preservative that helps keep products fresh and stable, but it is not as widely studied as some alternatives.

Potassium propylparaben is an effective preservative but has raised concerns about potential endocrine disruption, leading many brands to phase it out.

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

A gentle, castor-oil-derived surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A mild, plant-derived soap that cleanses effectively while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

A milder, less irritating version of salicylic acid that helps exfoliate and smooth skin without the typical sting.

Potassium Silicate helps create a smooth, protective film on skin but can be drying or irritating at high concentrations.

A gentle pH adjuster and chelator that helps stabilize formulas and improve preservative efficacy without irritating skin.

A gentle, widely used preservative that keeps your products fresh without common irritation.

A gentle, plant-derived cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Potassium Stearate is an effective emulsifier and cleanser, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A mild, collagen-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

A mild, protein-derived cleansing agent that cleans without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Potassium sulfate is a safe, mild salt used to thicken or adjust pH in cleansers and shampoos, with very low irritation potential.

Potassium sulfide is an effective depilatory but can be highly irritating to skin and eyes; use with caution and follow product instructions exactly.

Potassium sulfite is a synthetic preservative and antioxidant, but its potential for irritation and regulatory restrictions make it less common in modern skincare.

A safe, synthetic thickener that helps create lightweight, non-greasy gel textures in skincare.

A mild, soap-like cleanser derived from sunflower oil that effectively removes dirt and makeup without stripping the skin.

Potassium Tallowate is a traditional soap ingredient that effectively cleanses but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

Potassium Tartrate is a gentle pH adjuster that helps keep your skincare products stable and at the right acidity, but it doesn't directly improve your skin.

Potassium Taurate is a gentle, antioxidant-rich humectant that helps hydrate and protect skin from environmental stress, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin barrier.

A lesser-known antioxidant that may help protect skin from oxidative damage, but research is still early and it's not as well-studied as vitamin C or E.

Potassium Thiocyanate is a synthetic preservative that helps stabilize formulas, but its use in cosmetics is limited due to potential irritation and toxicity concerns at higher levels.

Potassium thioglycolate is a potent depilatory that dissolves hair but can irritate skin if not used carefully.

Potassium Toluenesulfonate is a mild synthetic helper that keeps formulas clear and stable, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle, effective surfactant that cleanses without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle, effective cleanser that removes impurities without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that effectively cleanses while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, often used in gentle formulas.

A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, making it suitable for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle synthetic chelator that helps your products stay fresh and effective by binding trace metals.

Potassium Troclosene is a strong preservative that releases chlorine to kill microbes, but it can be irritating and is rarely used in leave-on skincare.

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, olive-derived peptide that helps strengthen the skin barrier and improve hydration without irritation.

Potassium undecylenate is an effective cleanser with mild antimicrobial properties, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types.

A gentle film-forming ingredient from seaweed that helps soothe and protect skin and hair without clogging pores.

A gentle, seaweed-based film former that helps skin feel smooth and hydrated without clogging pores.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while being gentle on the skin barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that cleans without stripping the skin barrier.

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses gently and is well-tolerated by sensitive skin.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, amino-acid-like surfactant that cleans without stripping, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A synthetic colorant used in cosmetics for pigment, not a skincare active with benefits for skin health.

A mild synthetic helper that keeps formulas clear and well-mixed, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle, lab-grown potato cell extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Potato Peel Extract is a gentle, antioxidant-rich ingredient that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

A gentle, protein-based conditioning ingredient that helps detangle hair and add softness without heavy buildup.

A gentle, plant-based extract that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

Potato Pulp Water is a gentle, hydrating ingredient that may help soothe and moisturize the skin, but research is limited.

A gentle, plant-derived peptide that may help support skin firmness and a more youthful look, though research is still emerging.

A gentle, plant-derived peptide that may help improve skin hydration and firmness, but research is still limited.

A gentle, plant-based peptide that may help improve skin firmness, but research is still limited.

A gentle, plant-derived peptide that may help support skin structure, but research is still limited.

A gentle, plant-derived peptide that may help support skin firmness and reduce fine lines, though research is still emerging.