Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, synthetic humectant that pulls moisture into the skin without feeling sticky or heavy.

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

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put on skin and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky, but offers no active skincare benefit.

A gentle synthetic emollient that improves product texture and skin feel without clogging pores.

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

A synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, but may be slightly clogging for acne-prone skin.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products feel smooth and spread easily without clogging pores.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without clogging pores.

PPG-16 is a safe, synthetic ingredient that helps other ingredients spread and absorb, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle, synthetic humectant that attracts moisture to the skin without feeling sticky or heavy.

A mild-to-moderate synthetic cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic emollient that helps products feel silky and spread easily, but offers no active skin benefits.

A safe, synthetic solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients and leaves a light, non-greasy feel on skin.

A synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A gentle synthetic humectant that pulls moisture into the skin without feeling sticky or greasy.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and shampoos mix oil and water without stripping the skin.

PPG-2 Arginine is a gentle, modified amino acid that helps keep skin and hair soft, smooth, and hydrated without irritation.

A synthetic cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be drying for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be mildly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic cleansing agent that helps products foam and rinse clean, but may be drying for sensitive skin.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps keep your products smooth and stable, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps keep your skincare products stable and well-mixed, but it offers no direct skin benefits.

PPG-2 Cocamide helps cleansers foam and mix oil with water, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types.

A mild surfactant that helps cleanse and condition, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and lotions mix oil and water without stripping the skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle silicone that smooths skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.

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

A gentle synthetic humectant that helps keep skin hydrated without the stickiness of glycerin.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that can improve hair feel but may cause irritation or clog pores for some skin types.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that helps create a rich lather and improve the feel of cleansers without stripping the skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, generally considered safe and low-irritation for most skin types.

A gentle, semi-synthetic polymer that helps condition hair and improve product texture without heavy buildup.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps water and oil mix, making your cleansers and creams smooth and stable.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated.

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

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cleansers and lotions, generally well-tolerated by most skin types.

A synthetic emollient that improves texture and spreadability, but may be moderately pore-clogging for some skin types.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that softens skin but may be too heavy for oily or acne-prone types.

PPG-2 Laureth-12 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse clean, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water; generally safe but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

PPG-2 Laureth-8 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

A mild synthetic ingredient that helps hair feel soft and smooth, but it's not a star player and is best understood as part of a larger formula.

A fast-evaporating solvent that helps products spread and dry quickly, but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores, commonly used in moisturizers and cleansers.

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

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps products spread smoothly and feel lightweight on skin.

A gentle synthetic solvent that helps other ingredients spread evenly without leaving a greasy feel.

PPG-2 Tallowamine is an effective emulsifier but may cause irritation for sensitive skin and is not suitable for those avoiding animal-derived ingredients.

A mild, vitamin-E-derived cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps products spread and rinse cleanly, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but offers no skin benefit beyond cleansing.

A mild synthetic helper that blends oil and water, generally safe but not a star ingredient.

A workhorse emulsifier that helps water and oil mix in your creams and cleansers, generally well-tolerated but not a star active ingredient.

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