Ingredient dictionary

Trideceth-12 is a synthetic mixture of a fatty alcohol (tridecyl alcohol) and polyethylene glycol that functions as an emulsifier and cleansing agent.

This cleansing agent is drying and is irritating in high amounts.

Shortened term for surface active agent. Surfactants degrease and emulsify oils and fats and suspend soil, allowing them to be washed away.

In cosmetics, this large group of ingredients is used mainly as a cleansing agent; they include sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate.

Sucrose stearate is an ester of stearic acid and sugar that works as an emollient and cleansing agent.

Created from a combination of sugar and coconut-derived lauric acid; functions as an emollient/skin-conditioning agent and emulsifier/gentle cleansing agent.

Fatty alcohol-derived surfactant, emulsifier, and stabilising ingredient that’s been ruled safe as it is used in cosmetics.

Can be used as an emulsifier and surfactant (cleansing agent). Popular in hair care where it is praised for delivering antistatic/conditioning properties.

Sorbitan olivate is a mixture of the fatty acids from olive oil plus a sugar known as sorbitol.

Surfactant with cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming properties. Can also be used to solubilize fragrance ingredients in a formulation.

This emulsifier and cleansing agent has been ruled safe as used in cosmetics.

Cleansing agent/emulsifier used to enhance the overall texture of the formula.

A very mild cleansing agent that also helps stabilise skin care formulas and keep oil- and water-based ingredients from separating.

Sugar- and fatty acid-derived cleansing agent that aids in formula stability mostly due to its emulsification properties.

This mild cleansing agent helps water mix with oil and dirt so it can be rinsed away.

This sodium salt of tallow has a high pH that can lead to skin barrier damage and water loss.

Amino acid-derived cleansing agent with emulsifying properties that contribute to softer, smoother skin. May be synthetic or animal-derived.

A synthetic wetting agent that has cleansing, thickening and emulsifying properties for skin. Chemically classified as a phosphorous compound.

A mild surfactant formed by reacting fatty acids from olive oil esters with polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Surfactant, emulsifier, and viscosity-adjusting agent commonly found in bar soaps and other cleansers.

Sodium palmitoyl sarcosinate is the salt of palmitoyl sarcosinate, which is derived from the amino acid derivative sarcosine.

This sodium salt of palmitic acid can be drying to skin when formulated in a cleanser.

Surfactant, emulsifier and viscosity-adjusting agent commonly found in bar soaps and other cleansers.

This salt functions as a hair conditioning ingredient, emollient, and cleansing agent in cosmetics.