Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, protein-derived conditioning ingredient that reduces static and adds softness to hair without heavy buildup.

A high-tech conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and reduces frizz, but its long, complex name hints at a synthetic origin that may not appeal to minimalist or natural product fans.

A gentle silicone-based conditioner that reduces frizz and adds slip without heavy buildup, but may not suit those avoiding silicones.

A gentle conditioning agent that reduces static and improves manageability in hair products, with a low risk of irritation.

A safe synthetic polymer that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put longer without feeling heavy.

Steareth-100 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and cleansers, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic polymer that helps products stay put on skin, but offers no active skincare benefits.

Steareth-11 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare, but may be less suitable for those avoiding ethoxylated ingredients.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in formulas, generally well-tolerated but may be too heavy for very oily skin.

A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with low irritation potential.

Steareth-13 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps stabilize creams and lotions, but it is produced with ethylene oxide, which raises purity concerns.

Steareth-14 is a reliable emulsifier that helps keep your creams and lotions smooth and stable, but it is synthetic and may be less suitable for those seeking fully natural formulas.

Steareth-15 is a reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions, but it is synthetic and may not appeal to those seeking natural ingredients.

Steareth-16 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

A reliable emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare products with a low risk of irritation.

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

Steareth-20 is a reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions, but it may be contaminated with potentially irritating 1,4-dioxane during manufacturing.

A synthetic thickener and emulsifier that helps stabilize formulas but may feel heavy on oily skin.

Steareth-21 is a reliable synthetic emulsifier that creates smooth, stable creams and lotions, but it may be less appealing to those seeking fully natural formulations.

Steareth-25 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps keep creams and lotions stable, but it may be less eco-friendly due to its ethoxylated nature.

Steareth-27 is a mild, non-irritating emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare and haircare products.

Steareth-3 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, making creams and lotions smooth and stable.

A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without stripping the skin.

Steareth-30 is a widely used emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that stabilizes creamy formulas without common irritation.

Steareth-40 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

Steareth-5 is a gentle emulsifier that helps water and oil mix in your products, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without heavy irritation or pore-clogging concerns.

Steareth-50 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and cleansers, with a low risk of irritation for most skin types.

A reliable emulsifier that creates smooth, stable creams without common irritation concerns.

Steareth-7 is a well-tolerated synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare products.

Steareth-8 is a common synthetic emulsifier that helps products feel smooth, but it may be mildly irritating for sensitive skin.

Steareth-80 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in products, but its ethoxylation process may raise mild purity concerns for some users.

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

A gentle fatty acid that helps thicken and stabilize creams while softening skin, but may clog pores for some people.

A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

Stearone is a waxy emollient that helps stabilize and thicken formulas, but it's not a star active ingredient.

Stearoptenes are natural waxy solids from essential oils that help moisturize and stabilize skincare formulas, but they are not a standalone active ingredient.

A gentle silicone that smooths skin and hair without a heavy feel, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle silicone polymer that helps products glide on smoothly and stay put without clogging pores.

A synthetic conditioning agent that softens hair and skin but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves manageability in hair products, with a low risk of irritation.

A gentle silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, with low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A synthetic thickener and stabilizer that helps give creams and sticks a smooth, non-greasy feel with low irritation risk.

Stearoyl Epoxy Resin is a synthetic film-former that helps makeup last longer and feel smoother, but it offers no skincare benefits.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup.

A mild, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil while respecting your skin's natural barrier.

A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that improves product feel and stability without common irritation concerns.

A mild emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in skincare products while offering gentle skin conditioning and barrier support.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while respecting the skin barrier, making it a great choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that stabilizes creams and lotions without common irritation concerns.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and improves manageability without heavy buildup.

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

An effective conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and reduces static, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive individuals.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that makes hair and skin feel softer without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps reduce static and soften hair without heavy buildup.

A gentle emollient that softens skin and improves product feel, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.