Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, non-stripping surfactant ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, conditioning surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A gentle, non-stripping cleanser that helps maintain skin's moisture barrier while effectively removing dirt and oil.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

A mild, sulfate-free surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin barrier.

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

Disodium succinate is a gentle pH adjuster and mild humectant that helps maintain product stability without irritating skin.

A gentle synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin, making it a good option for sensitive skin.

A gentle, biodegradable surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant that cleans without stripping the skin — ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

A mild, low-irritation cleansing ingredient that helps create a rich foam and thicken formulas without stripping the skin.

A mild, biodegradable cleansing agent that effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin.

A gentle surfactant that cleanses effectively but is less common in modern formulations due to availability and preference for plant-based alternatives.

A mild to moderate cleansing agent from animal fat; effective but may not suit all skin types.

A gentle, animal-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively with low irritation potential, but may not suit those avoiding animal ingredients.

A gentle, animal-derived surfactant that cleans effectively but may not suit those avoiding animal ingredients.

An effective cleanser from animal fat, but may be drying for sensitive skin and raises ethical concerns for some users.

Disodium tartrate is a gentle pH adjuster and chelator that helps keep formulas stable and effective without irritating skin.

A gentle chelating agent that helps your products stay effective longer by neutralizing hard-water minerals.

A lab-made compound that mimics a skin-signaling peptide to help improve firmness and smoothness, but human studies are limited.

A synthetic peptide-like ingredient that may help soften expression lines, but research is limited and results vary.

An effective synthetic cleanser that can be drying for sensitive skin; best suited for normal to oily skin types.

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that cleans effectively without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A water-friendly version of CoQ10 that delivers antioxidant protection and may help energize aging skin without the greasy feel of traditional CoQ10.

A mild, castor-oil-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively while being gentle enough for sensitive skin.

A gentle, sulfate-free surfactant that effectively cleanses while being kind to sensitive and dry skin types.

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

A gentle nucleotide that may help energize skin cells and support repair, but human studies are still limited.

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

A gentle, wheat-derived surfactant that cleanses effectively without over-drying, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses gently, making it a good choice for sensitive or dry skin.

A mild, soy-derived conditioning ingredient that helps hair feel soft and smooth without weighing it down.

Disoyamine is a functional surfactant that helps cleansers foam and rinse cleanly, but it may be slightly drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

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

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

A synthetic hair dye that provides black color but may cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic blue dye that adds vibrant color to wash-off products but offers no skincare benefit and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Disperse Red 17 is a synthetic dye that adds red tones to cosmetics but may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Disperse Violet 1 is a synthetic dye that adds violet color to cosmetics, but it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic violet dye used for color in cosmetics, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it's not a standout ingredient.

A gentle, starch-based ingredient that improves product feel and stability without common irritants.

A gentle, starch-based thickener that improves product feel without common irritation or clogging concerns.

A gentle, starch-based powder that absorbs oil and improves product feel without clogging pores.

A safe, effective thickener and stabilizer that helps keep formulas smooth and ingredients evenly mixed.

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

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and feel smooth, but offers no active skincare benefits.

A mild, amino-acid-based surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.

A mild, amino-acid-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping the skin, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

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

A silicone-based conditioning ingredient that smooths hair and reduces static, but may build up over time with frequent use.

A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative that brightens skin and fights free radicals without the irritation or short shelf life of pure L-ascorbic acid.

A mild, effective conditioning ingredient that helps detangle and soften hair without heavy buildup.

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

A gentle, waxy emollient that helps thicken and stabilize creams without clogging pores.

A mild, amino-acid-derived emulsifier that creates stable, creamy textures without stripping the skin.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products spread smoothly and hold their shape, but it has limited research and is not widely used.

A gentle emollient and stabilizer that helps keep products smooth and extends their shelf life, with a very low risk of irritation.