Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic polymer that helps nail polish dry hard and stay glossy, but its safety relies on proper formulation and avoiding inhalation during application.

A gentle antioxidant duo from green tea and ginseng that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may support a calmer complexion.

A gentle, effective cleanser that removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may not suit ultra-sensitive scalps.

Tea Hydrochloride is a gentle pH adjuster that helps keep your skincare products stable and comfortable on skin, but it offers no direct skin benefits.

Tea Hydroiodide is a synthetic preservative booster with limited safety data; it's rarely used in modern skincare and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic emulsifier that helps water-resistant formulas spread evenly, but its perfluoroalkyl structure raises environmental persistence concerns.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich extract from young tea leaves that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

A natural antimicrobial extract that can help with acne-prone skin but may cause irritation at high concentrations.

Tea tree leaf extract is a natural antimicrobial ingredient often used to help manage acne and soothe minor skin irritations, but it can be irritating at high concentrations.

Tea tree leaf powder can help purify oily or blemish-prone skin, but it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A milder alternative to tea tree oil, tea tree leaf water offers gentle antimicrobial benefits with a much lower risk of irritation.

Tea tree oil is a natural antimicrobial that can help with mild acne, but it must be used at safe concentrations to avoid skin irritation.

A semi-synthetic collagen derivative that forms a light film on skin to help smooth texture and temporarily reduce the look of fine lines, but research on its long-term benefits is limited.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps makeup and sunscreen stay put, especially in water-resistant formulas.

An effective but potentially drying cleanser that works well for oily skin but may irritate sensitive or dry skin.

A strong synthetic cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A mild-ish synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping, but may still irritate very sensitive skin.

A synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses and foams, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types.

A milder alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate, but still a surfactant that can be drying for sensitive skin.

A mild synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A mild foaming cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil, but may be drying for very sensitive or dry skin.

An effective foaming cleanser that can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin, but is generally considered safe in rinse-off products.

A gentle surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin types.

TEA-Canolate is a mild cleansing agent from canola oil, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.

A safe, effective thickener that gives your skincare products a pleasant gel or cream texture without clogging pores.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleansing ingredient that helps create a rich lather without stripping the skin.

A coconut-derived surfactant that cleans effectively but may be drying for sensitive skin.

TEA-Cocoate is a gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but it may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while respecting the skin barrier — ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, coconut-derived cleanser that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, coconut-derived cleanser that also conditions skin and hair, but may not be ideal for very dry or sensitive scalps in high concentrations.

A mild, protein-based surfactant that cleanses gently while helping hair and skin feel soft and conditioned.

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes impurities while being kind to sensitive skin.

A gentle, starch-based ingredient that improves product feel and stability without clogging pores or causing irritation.

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

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create stable, lightweight formulas without heavy residue.

A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in skincare products, with low irritation potential.

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

An effective but potentially drying surfactant best suited for rinse-off cleansers, not for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle humectant that helps hydrate and condition skin without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A mild cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin.

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

TEA-Isostearate is a synthetic emulsifier that helps cleanse and stabilize formulas, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

A gentle, modified collagen that helps hair and skin feel smooth and conditioned, but its benefits are mostly temporary and surface-level.

A gentle surfactant that cleans without stripping, but may be slightly pore-clogging for acne-prone skin.

A gentle surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, suitable for sensitive skin types.

TEA-Laurate helps create lather and remove dirt, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic cleansing agent that can be effective but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A milder alternative to SLS that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin as harshly, but may still cause irritation for sensitive skin.

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

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin barrier.

A gentle, amino-acid-based cleanser that effectively removes impurities while respecting the skin’s natural barrier.

A gentle, collagen-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping, making it a good choice for sensitive skin and hair.

A mild, protein-derived surfactant that cleanses gently while helping hair and skin feel soft and conditioned.

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A gentle, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses effectively while being kind to sensitive skin.