A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel smooth and soft without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Beauty ingredient research
Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.
20769
Reviewed ingredients
524
Low-concern standouts
2884
Need usage caution
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel smooth and soft without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, lightweight synthetic oil that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin feeling soft without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread smoothly and evaporate quickly without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy solvent that helps products spread easily and evaporate quickly, but it's a synthetic ingredient with limited skin benefits beyond texture.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A safe, lightweight synthetic oil that helps products glide on smoothly without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A strong synthetic cleanser that effectively removes oil and dirt but can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle, plant-based surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify oils without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-greasy emollient that helps soften and smooth skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Emulsifier
C10-18 TRIGLYCERIDES POLYGLYCERYL-3 ESTERS PHOSPHATES
A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures while being kind to sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild synthetic acid that helps balance product pH and stabilize formulas, but offers no direct skin benefit on its own.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic fatty acid that helps skin feel smooth and soft without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emollient that helps moisturize without clogging pores, making it a good option for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, synthetic emollient that softens skin and improves product texture without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves product feel and spreadability with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Antistatic Agent
C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate
A synthetic conditioning ingredient that helps reduce flyaways and static without heavy buildup.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A safe, lightweight emollient that helps products spread smoothly and evaporates quickly, leaving a non-greasy finish.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, fast-evaporating solvent that helps products glide on smoothly, but may be drying for very dry or sensitive skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil, but may cause mild irritation for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may cause mild irritation for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may cause mild irritation for very sensitive types.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, volatile hydrocarbon that helps dissolve makeup and spread products without leaving a greasy feel.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves product texture and spreadability with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, volatile solvent that helps products spread smoothly and evaporates quickly, but offers no active skincare benefits.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, volatile hydrocarbon blend that helps products glide on smoothly and evaporate quickly without leaving a greasy feel.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps products spread smoothly and evaporates quickly, leaving a silky finish.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas, but offers no direct skin benefit.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, widely used in cleansers and considered safe at typical levels.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but may cause mild irritation for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A safe, effective emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas, but offers no direct skin benefit.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause mild irritation for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may cause mild irritation for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers and lotions mix and rinse clean, but may be slightly drying for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping the skin, but may cause irritation for very sensitive skin types.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A mild synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in rinse-off products, generally well-tolerated.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, silicone-like emollient that spreads easily and leaves a non-greasy finish, ideal for oil-free or lightweight formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that spreads easily and leaves a silky finish without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A next-gen hyaluronic acid that sticks to skin longer for lasting hydration without greasiness.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A lightweight synthetic emollient that hydrates and softens skin without clogging pores, commonly used in moisturizers and sunscreens.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, commonly used in mild foaming cleansers.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, semi-synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild synthetic surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may be too drying for very sensitive or compromised skin barriers.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle synthetic surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, but may not be suitable for ultra-sensitive skin in high concentrations.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, low-irritation surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse and emulsify without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, non-stripping surfactant that effectively cleanses while being kind to sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, effective surfactant that helps cleanse without stripping the skin, making it a common choice for mild formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps cleansers foam and creams feel smooth, but may be slightly drying for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic