Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
Poor |
acne soapSoaps that often contain strong cleansing ingredients, they are often overly drying and...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
bis-PEG-18 methyl ether dimethyl silaneA synthetic skin conditioning agent and surfactant belonging to the chemical class of siloxanes and... |
Good |
C20-40 pareth-40Mixture of polyethylene glycols of various molecular weight that can function as stabilizing...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Average |
alcoholA group of organic compounds with a vast range of forms and uses in cosmetics...
Categories:
Emollients,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
ammonium laureth sulfateCan be derived from coconut; used primarily as a detergent cleansing agent and is considered gentle...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
ammonium lauryl sulfateCan be derived from coconut; used primarily as a detergent cleansing agent and is considered gentle...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
arachidyl glucosideA mild surfactant (cleansing) and emulsifying agent, made from...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
behenic acidFatty acid used as a thickening agent and surfactant.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
disodium lauraminopropionateA mild surfactant.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Average |
cocamide DEA and MEABoth cocamide DEA (diethanolamine) and MEA (monoethanolamine) are widely used ingredients to thicken the water phase of cosmetics, keep ingredients blended, and boost foaming properties...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
cocamidopropyl betaineOne of the more gentle surfactants used in skincare products.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
cocamidopropyl dimethylamineAn antistatic agent derived from coconut oil, though it may be produced synthetically, too...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineMild surfactant.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
coco-glucosideA mixture of fatty alcohol from coconut and glucose. Chiefly functions as a cleansing agent. May be...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
coconutHas degreasing and cleansing properties, which is why detergent cleansing agents are frequently...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
decyl glucosideUsed as a gentle detergent cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
detergent cleansing agent
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
dicetyl phosphateA mix of portions from cetyl alcohol and phosphoric acid that functions as surfactant and emulsifier.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
dihydrocholeth-30A synthetic ingredient that functions as an emulsifier...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
disodium cocoamphodiacetateMild detergent cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
disodium cocoyl glutamateA cleansing agent derived from coconut.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
glyceryl behanateA simple mixture of glycerin and the naturally-occuring fatty acid behenic acid. Glyceryl behenate... |
Good |
glyceryl oleateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. |
Good |
glyceryl stearateUsed as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics. |
Good |
isohexadecaneUsed as a detergent cleansing agent, emulsifier, and thickening agent in cosmetics. |
Good |
isostearamide DEAUsed as a surfactant, water-binding agent, and thickening agent. |
Good |
lauramphocarboxyglycinateMild detergent cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
laureth-23Derived from lauryl alcohol and used either as a surfactant or emulsifier (or, in many cases, as... |
Good |
laureth-4Derived from lauryl alcohol and used either as a surfactant or emulsifier (or, in many cases, as... |
Good |
laureth-7A form of lauryl alcohol (a non-irritating fatty alcohol derived from coconut oil) that can...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
laurethsSubstances that in various combinations create a wide range of mild detergent cleansing agents...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Best |
lauric acidOne of several fatty acids found in coconut oil and other natural fats.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
lauryl alcohol
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
lauryl glucoside
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Poor |
lye
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Sensitizing
|
Good |
magnesium laureth sulfateMild detergent cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
magnesium oleth sulfateMild detergent cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
PEG-10 dimethicone |
Good |
PEG-10 dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerA synthetic, silicone-enhanced polymer that helps products adhere… |
Good |
PEG-10 phytosterolA synthetic or soy-derived (Paula’s Choice Skincare uses the latter) ingredient used in cosmetics as a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
Good |
PEG-10 rapeseed sterolA blend of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the fatty acid component of the rapeseed plant. Used as a...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emollients
|
Good |
PEG-100 stearate
Categories:
Emollients,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
PEG-12 dimethicone |
Good |
PEG-120 methyl glucose dioleate
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquistearateA complex mixture of a glycol with a fatty acid and glucose that funtions multiple ways: emollient,...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emollients
|
Good |
PEG-40 stearatePEG-40 stearate typically functions as a cleansing agent, but also helps keep ingredients...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oilThe chief function of this ingredient is cleansing agent. |
Good |
PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emollients
|
Good |
PEG-8
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emollients
|
Good |
PEG-80 sorbitan laurateMild surfactant.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
PEG 90M
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emollients
|
Good |
PEGPEG is the acronym for polyethylene glycol. Various forms of PEG compounds are mixed with fatty...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emollients
|
Good |
PEG/PPG-17/6 copolymerPEG stands for polyethylene glycol; PPG stands for polypropylene glycol.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emollients
|
Good |
PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethiconePEG stands for polyethylene glycol; PPG stands for polypropylene glycol. |
Good |
PEG/PPG-20/15 dimethiconePEG stands for polyethylene glycol; PPG stands for polypropylene glycol. |
Good |
poloxamer 184A synthetic polymer that functions as a cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
Poloxamer 407Liquid polymer that functions as a surfactant. This ingredient can also keep unlike ingredients...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
poloxamers
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
myristic acidCleansing agent that also creates foam and can be drying.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
nonoxynolsUsed as a mild cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Best |
oleic acidOleic acid is a natural, monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that’s found in many plants.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Texture Enhancer
|
Good |
oleth-10A form of fatty alcohol that functions as a texture enhancer and cleansing agent.
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
olethsMild cleansing agents.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
palm kernel acidA mixture of fatty acids derived from palm oil. Used as a cleansing agent, emulsifier, or to add...
Categories:
Emollients,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
palmitic acidBlend of the fatty acid palmitic acid with several amino acids… |
Good |
polyglyceryl-10 laurateA plant-derived or synthetic ester of lauric acid and the synthetic polymer polyglycerin-10. |
Good |
polyglyceryl-3 beeswaxThe ester of fatty acids from beeswax and polyglycerin-3 that functions as a surfactant and...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
polyglyceryl-4 isostearateThe ester of isostearic acid and polyglycerin-4 that functions as an emollient and can also be a...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emollients
|
Good |
polysorbate 20
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
polysorbate 60
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
polysorbate 80
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
polysorbatesLarge group of ingredients most often derived from lauric acid, which is derived from coconuts....
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
potassium cetyl phosphateUsed as a detergent cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Average |
potassium hydroxideAlso known as lye, a highly alkaline ingredient used in small amounts in cosmetics to modulate the...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Average |
potassium myristateDetergent cleansing agent that is a constituent of soap; it can be drying and aggravate skin for some...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
PPG-12 buteth-16Versatile ingredient composed of several non-volatile alcohols. Functions as a skin-conditioning...
Categories:
Texture Enhancer,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
PPG-26-Buteth-26PPG stands for polypropylene glycol, and this ingredient combines PPG with a fatty alcohol....
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium cocoyl amino acidsThe salt form of amino acids...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium cocoyl glutamateA cleansing agent derived from coconut oil. This ingredient is also used to help soften (remove...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium cocoyl isethionateDerived from coconut, it is a mild detergent cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium hexametaphosphateSalt with multiple functions in cosmetics. It can act as a detergent, an emulsifier, a texturizer,... |
Average |
sodium hydroxideAlso known as lye, it is a highly alkaline ingredient used in small amounts in cosmetics to...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Sensitizing
|
Good |
sodium laureth-13 carboxylateUsed primarily as a detergent cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium laureth sulfateCan be derived from coconut; it is used primarily as a detergent cleansing agent. It is considered...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium lauroamphoacetateMild surfactant also used as a lather agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium lauroyl lactylateUsed as an emulsifier and mild thickening agent in cosmetics. In higher concentrations, it...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium lauroyl sarcosinateSodium lauroyl sarcosinate is a synthetic or plant-derived surfactant (cleansing agent) that also works as an emulsifier.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
Good |
sodium lauryl glucose carboxylateA gentle cleansing agent that may be derived from coconut or made synthetically.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Poor |
sodium lauryl sulfateVersatile ingredient composed of several non-volatile alcohols. Functions primarily as a surfactant... |
Good |
sodium methyl cocoyl taurateMild surfactant.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium methyl taurateMild surfactant often combined with...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium myreth sulfateDetergent cleansing agent similar to sodium laureth sulfate or ammonium laureth sulfate...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Poor |
sodium palm kernelate
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Poor |
sodium palmateA soap ingredient created by the salts of acids derived from palm oil. May be naturally-derived or...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium PEG-7 olive oil carboxylateA mild surfactant formed by reacting fatty acids from olive oil esters from polyethylene glycol...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emollients
|
Poor |
sodium tallowateSodium salt of tallow.
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium trideceth sulfate
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sorbitan oleateSynthetic or animal-derived ingredient used as an emulsifier and cleansing agent.
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
steareth-20Derived from the benign fatty ingredient stearyl alcohol, this functions primarily as a surfactant...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sulfatesSulfates are a group of ingredients that have many consumers worried but in truth, misinformation, not sulfates, are the actual problem...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
surfactantShortened term for surface active agent. Surfactants degrease and emulsify oils and fats and...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
reducing agentVersatile ingredient composed of several non-volatile alcohols. Functions as a...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Poor |
Salvia officinalis |
Good |
Saponaria officinalis extract
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Cleansing Agents
|
Poor |
soapTrue “soaps” are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and are not required to list...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Sensitizing
|
Good |
soapwortPlant from which is derived an extract with detergent cleansing properties.
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Cleansing Agents
|
Poor |
sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonateCan be derived from coconut. Used primarily as a detergent cleansing agent, but is potentially...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Sensitizing
|
Good |
sodium cetearyl sulfateA mixture of stearyl and cetyl sulfate that funtions as a surfactant.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
sodium cocoamphoacetateA gentle cleansing agent derived from coconut fatty acids. It functions as a cleansing agent and...
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Poor |
sodium cocoateUsed as a cleansing agent primarily in soaps. It can be drying and sensitizing for skin.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Sensitizing
|
Poor |
TEA-lauryl sulfateWhile there is abundant research showing sodium lauryl sulfate is a sensitizing cleansing agent,... |
Good |
tribehenin PEG-20 estersA complex mixture of tribehenin and PEG-20, this ingredient has multiple functions in cosmetic... |
Best |
polyglyceryl-3 rice branateAn ingredient that serves as a surfactant and emulsifier and is a derivative of the fatty acids that come from rice bran oil.
Categories:
Emulsifiers,
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
glyceryl rosinateAn ester of long chain acids derived from a plant-based ingredient known as rosin. |
Good |
sorbitan laurateSorbitan laurate is an ester that works as a cleansing agent and emulsifier.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
Good |
polyglyceryl-10 caprylate/capratePolyglyceryl-10 caprylate/caprate is a single ester created from polymers and glycerin used in skin care as an emulsifier or solvent. |
Good |
sorbeth-230 tetraoleateSorbeth-230 tetraoleate is a mixture of oleic acid with sorbitol derivatives that can help thicken cosmetic formulas. |
Best |
sodium lauroyl oat amino acidsA skin-soothing salt created by condensing the chloride form of a fatty acid with amino acids derived from oats.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Skin-Soothing
|
Good |
coconut acidA natural mixture of fatty acid found in coconut oil primarily used as a cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents
|
Good |
C11-15 pareth-7C11-15 pareth-7 is a lightweight, synthetic mixture of fatty alcohols and polyethylene glycols that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
Good |
sucrose stearateSucrose stearate is an ester of stearic acid and sugar that works as an emollient and cleansing agent. |
Good |
polyglyceryl-10 stearatePolyglyceryl-10 stearate is the ester of stearic acid with a glycerin polymer that functions as a skin-softener and emollient ingredient. |
Good |
C12-16 pareth-9C12-16 pareth-9 is a lightweight, synthetic mixture of fatty alcohols and polyethylene glycols that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
Good |
trideceth-12Trideceth-12 is a synthetic mixture of a fatty alcohol (tridecyl alcohol) and polyethylene glycol that functions as an emulsifier and cleansing agent.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
Good |
sorbitan olivateSorbitan olivate is a mixture of the fatty acids from olive oil plus a sugar known as sorbitol.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Emulsifiers
|
Good |
sodium cocoyl glycinateSodium cocoyl glycinate is an amino acid-derived cleansing agent and skin-softening ingredient in skin care and hair care products.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Skin-Softening
|
Good |
myristamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphatemyristamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloride phosphate |
Good |
sodium palmitoyl sarcosinateSodium palmitoyl sarcosinate is the salt of palmitoyl sarcosinate, which is derived from the amino acid derivative sarcosine.
Categories:
Cleansing Agents,
Hydration
|
Good |
PEG-75 stearatePEG-75 stearate is an ester blend of polyethylene glycol and stearic acid. |
About the Experts
Paula Begoun is the best-selling author of 20 books about skincare and makeup. She is known worldwide as The Cosmetics Cop and creator of Paula’s Choice Skincare. Paula’s expertise has led to hundreds of appearances on national and international radio, print, and television including:
The Paula's Choice Research Team is dedicated to busting beauty myths and providing expert advice that solves your skincare frustrations so you can have the best skin of your life!