Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, synthetic humectant that draws moisture into the skin without the sticky feel of glycerin.

A synthetic film-former that helps nail polish and long-wear makeup stay put, but it offers no skincare benefit and may feel stiff on flexible surfaces.

A synthetic film-former that helps nail products last longer, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin or nail beds.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps soften skin and stabilize formulas without heavy greasiness.

A gentle, soy-derived conditioning ingredient that helps soften skin and hair without clogging pores or causing irritation.

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

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in your products, generally well-tolerated but not a standout active ingredient.

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

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

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

A synthetic emulsifier that helps products rinse cleanly, but may be drying for sensitive skin.

PPG-3-Laureth-9 is a synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and remove oil, but it may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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

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

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that gives skin a silky finish and is generally well-tolerated.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for non-greasy formulas.

A conditioning ingredient that can improve hair manageability but may be irritating or comedogenic for some.

A synthetic film former found mainly in nail products; can be a skin sensitizer and is not recommended for everyday skincare.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.

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

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

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

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without common irritation or clogging concerns.

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

A gentle, synthetic emollient that makes products feel silky without clogging pores or causing irritation.

A gentle, lanolin-derived emollient that softens skin without the heavy feel of pure lanolin.

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

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

A gentle, water-friendly form of vitamin E that helps protect skin from environmental stress without clogging pores.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps water and oil mix, but offers no active skin benefits.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify oils without stripping the skin.

A gentle, water-attracting ingredient that helps keep skin hydrated without clogging pores or causing irritation.

PPG-34 Phosphate is a mild synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and makeup removers work effectively without stripping the skin.

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

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

PPG-36 Oleate is a synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly, but it may be moderately comedogenic for acne-prone skin.

A safe, effective emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your products, but may be drying for very sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A safe, effective emulsifier that helps keep your products smooth and stable, but it's purely synthetic and offers no skin benefits beyond formulation.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps blend oil and water in cleansers, with a low risk of irritation.

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

A workhorse synthetic emulsifier that helps products rinse clean, but can be drying for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle, synthetic humectant that pulls water into the skin and improves the feel of your products without common irritation.

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient derived from jojoba oil that softens skin without clogging pores.

A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften skin and improve product texture without clogging pores.

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

PPG-4 Laureth-2 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, but it can be mildly irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps products spread and rinse cleanly, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle synthetic emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without heavy greasiness.

A synthetic solvent that helps products spread and dissolve oils, generally safe but not a star ingredient.

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

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

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps rinse away oil and dirt without stripping the skin.

A mild synthetic ingredient that helps cleansers and other products mix oil and water, generally considered safe and low-irritation.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps products feel smooth and spread evenly, but it's not a star ingredient for skin health.

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

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