13 ingredients
Surfactant
Explore all 13 ingredients in the Surfactant category. Learn about their benefits and find products that contain them.
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine is a cationic surfactant derived from coconut oil, chemically classified as a fatty acid amidoamine. It functions as a surfactant, emulsifier, antistatic agent, and hair conditioning agent, with a positively charged head group that gives it good foaming properties and affinity for negatively charged surfaces like skin and hair. It is commonly used in cleansing formulations and is also used as a solubiliser to improve the water solubility and stability of actives such as salicylic acid in non-cleansing products.
Learn more →Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate is a mild, coconut-derived anionic surfactant known for its gentle cleansing properties and non-drying feel. It produces rich foam and leaves a soft, smooth skin feel after use. It is biodegradable and commonly used as a primary or secondary surfactant in facial cleansers, shampoos, and body washes.
Learn more →Coco-Glucoside
Coco-glucoside is a mild, non-ionic surfactant produced by condensing coconut-derived fatty alcohols with glucose. It is widely used in gentle cleansing formulations because it provides moderate to high stable foam while being significantly less irritating than traditional anionic surfactants such as SLS.
Learn more →Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate
Sodium cetearyl sulfate is an anionic surfactant composed of the sodium salts of mixed cetyl and stearyl sulfate esters. It functions as a cleansing and emulsifying agent in cosmetic formulations, helping oil and water phases mix together. It is commonly used in creams, lotions, and cleansing products.
Learn more →Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
Disodium cocoamphodiacetate is a mild amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil. Like its close relative sodium cocoamphoacetate, its molecular structure carries both positive and negative charges, making it significantly gentler than traditional anionic surfactants. It provides effective cleansing and strong foaming while being mild enough for baby products and sensitive-skin formulations.
Learn more →Decyl Glucoside
Decyl glucoside is a mild, non-ionic surfactant produced by the condensation of decyl alcohol (from coconut or palm kernel oil) with glucose (from corn starch). It is one of the gentlest surfactants available, prized for its excellent foaming properties and biodegradability. It is widely used in natural and sensitive-skin formulations.
Learn more →Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Sodium cocoamphoacetate is a mild amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil. Its molecular structure carries both positive and negative charges, which makes it significantly gentler than traditional anionic surfactants while still providing effective cleansing and foaming. It is widely used in baby products and sensitive-skin formulations.
Learn more →Lauryl Glucoside
Lauryl glucoside is a mild, non-ionic surfactant derived from plant sources — typically coconut or palm kernel oil combined with glucose. It belongs to the alkyl polyglucoside family and works by lowering water's surface tension, enabling gentle removal of oils, dirt, and impurities without harsh stripping. It is biodegradable, EcoCert-approved, and widely used as a gentler alternative to sulfate-based surfactants.
Learn more →Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is a mild, non-ionic surfactant derived from plant-based fatty alcohols (caprylic/capric) and glucose. It functions as a gentle cleanser and foaming agent, making it popular in formulations designed for sensitive skin. It is also used as a solubiliser to help disperse oils in water-based products.
Learn more →Coco-Glucoside
Coco-glucoside is a mild, non-ionic surfactant produced by condensing coconut-derived fatty alcohols with glucose. It is widely used in gentle cleansing formulations because it provides moderate to high stable foam while being significantly less irritating than traditional anionic surfactants such as SLS.
Learn more →Myristyl Glucoside
Myristyl Glucoside (chemically tetradecyl D-glucopyranoside) is a non-ionic surfactant derived from myristyl alcohol and glucose. It functions as a gentle cleansing agent in cosmetic formulations, helping to remove dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin. As a sugar-based surfactant, it is considered milder than traditional sulfate-based cleansers.
Learn more →Ceteth-20 Phosphate
Ceteth-20 Phosphate is a polyethylene glycol (PEG-20) cetyl ether phosphate ester that functions as a mild surfactant and cleansing agent. It helps to solubilise oils and other lipophilic ingredients in aqueous formulations, and is commonly used as an emulsifier in creams, serums, and sunscreens.
Learn more →Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is the most widely used anionic surfactant in cleansing products. It is an ethoxylated form of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which makes it significantly milder while retaining effective cleansing and foaming properties. It produces an airy, loose foam and is considered safe at concentrations used in cosmetic products.
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