The library

Ingredient library

Every ingredient SkinAtlas knows about — all 2171 of them. What each one does, what it works well with, and what to watch for.

180 ingredients in Surfactant — page 5 of 8

Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate

A diester of polyglyceryl-2 and polyhydroxystearic acid used as a water-in-oil emulsifier in sunscreen and rich cream formulations, providing stable, aesthetically elegant textures.

emulsifiersurfactant
Effective water-in-oil emulsifier for rich creams and sunscreensMild, non-irritating polyglycerol esterSupports stable, skin-friendly W/O emulsions
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer

A copolymer emulsifier combining polyglyceryl-2 isostearate and dimer dilinoleate, used to stabilize emulsions in sunscreens and CC creams.

emulsifieremollient
Stabilizes emulsionsImparts a rich, substantive skin feelUsed in sunscreens and tinted formulas
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquiisostearate

A polyglyceryl ester of isostearic acid (1.5 moles per glycerol unit) used as a water-in-oil emulsifier in rich creams and restorative formulas.

emulsifier
Helps form stable water-in-oil emulsionsContributes to rich, creamy texture
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate

A triester of polyglyceryl-2 and isostearic acid used as a water-in-oil emulsifier in CC creams, foundations, and rich skin-care formulas.

emulsifier
Stabilizes water-in-oil emulsionsImproves sensory feel of color cosmetic formulas
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-20 Hexacaprylate

A polyglyceryl ester of caprylic acid with twenty glycerol units used as a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier in cleansing oils and light emulsions.

emulsifiersurfactant
Functions as a mild emulsifier and solubilizerUsed in cleansing oil formulations
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-20 Octaisononanoate

A polyglyceryl ester of isononanoic acid (3,5,5-trimethylhexanoic acid) with twenty glycerol units, used as a cleansing, emulsifying, and solubilizing agent assessed safe by the CIR Expert Panel.

emulsifiersurfactant
Safe and mild emulsifier per CIR panel reviewHelps solubilize and blend oil phases in cleansing formulas
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate

A mild, polyglycerol-derived emulsifier used to stabilize water-in-oil emulsions in creams and sunscreens.

emulsifier
Stabilizes water-in-oil emulsionsGentle, plant-derived emulsification
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate

A mild nonionic polyglycerol diester of stearic acid used as an emulsifier to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions in serums and creams.

emulsifier
Gentle, plant-derived emulsificationStabilizes oil-in-water emulsions
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate

A polyglycerol ester of methylglucoside distearate used as a mild, nonionic emulsifier for stable oil-in-water emulsions in leave-on formulas.

emulsifier
Gentle, sugar-derived oil-in-water emulsificationSuitable for sensitive and clean-beauty formulas
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate

A polyglycerol ester of polyricinoleic (castor-derived) acid used as an efficient water-in-oil emulsifier in sunscreens, foundations, and rich creams.

emulsifier
Effective water-in-oil emulsifier at low concentrationsReduces viscosity and improves texture in anhydrous and W/O formulas
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate

A polyglyceryl ester of capric acid (C10) used as a gentle nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in toners, serums, and mild cleansers.

emulsifiersolubilizer
Mild nonionic emulsifier compatible with sensitive skin formulasCan help solubilize actives
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate

A mixed polyglyceryl ester combining isostearic, polyhydroxystearic, and sebacic acid esters used as a water-in-oil emulsifier in sunscreens and CC creams.

emulsifier
Stabilizes water-in-oil emulsions in sunscreen and color cosmeticsImproves water resistance
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate

A nonionic polyglyceryl ester of isostearic acid used as an emulsifier to form stable water-in-oil emulsions in sunscreens and rich cosmetic formulas.

emulsifier
Stabilizes water-in-oil emulsionsMild, plant-derived emulsificationUsed in sunscreens and rich creams
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate

A polyglyceryl ester emulsifier made from polyglycerin-4 and lauric acid, used to create stable oil-in-water emulsions with a gentle, skin-friendly profile.

emulsifiersurfactantskin-conditioning agent
Gentle, skin-compatible emulsifier derived from glycerin and lauric acidLow irritation potential suitable for sensitive skinBiodegradable and considered eco-friendly
Generally very well-tolerated; no significant known risks at cosmetic use levels
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate

A polyglycerol ester of oleic acid used as a gentle nonionic emulsifier and surfactant in cosmetic formulations.

emulsifiersurfactantskin-conditioning
Gentle nonionic emulsifier derived from glycerin and oleic acidHelps create stable oil-in-water emulsionsGood skin compatibility and mild profile
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate

A polyglycerol ester of behenic acid used as a gentle, nonionic emulsifier in moisturizers and sunscreens.

emulsifiersurfactantskin-conditioning agent
Plant-derived emulsifier providing stable, skin-friendly emulsionsContributes a rich, smooth texture to formulations
No significant known risks at cosmetic use concentrations
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate

A diester of polyglyceryl-6 and capric acid (C10) used as a mild nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in cleansing oils and light emulsions.

emulsifiersolubilizer
Gentle, plant-based emulsifierHelps blend oil and water phases in cleansing oils
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate

A monoester of polyglyceryl-6 and lauric acid (C12) used as a gentle nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in serums and light cosmetic formulations.

emulsifiersolubilizer
Mild plant-derived emulsifierSuitable for sensitive-skin serums and emulsions
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate

A polyglycerol ester of stearic acid used as a gentle, plant-derived nonionic emulsifier in creams and sunscreens.

emulsifiersurfactantskin-conditioning agent
Plant-derived emulsifier that creates stable, gentle emulsionsWell-tolerated by sensitive skin
No significant known risks; considered one of the gentler polyglycerol emulsifiers
Surfactant
Polyglyceryl-6 Ximenia Americana Seedate

A polyglyceryl-6 ester of fatty acids derived from Ximenia americana seed oil, used as a nonionic emulsifier and emollient in luxury skin-care formulations.

emulsifieremollient
Plant-derived emulsifier from ximenia seed oilProvides emollient skin feel alongside emulsification
Surfactant
Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Phosphate
POLYOXYETHYLENE ALKYL ETHER PHOSPHATE

A generic anionic surfactant class of phosphated polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers. Functions as a mild emulsifier and surfactant in cosmetic emulsions.

emulsifiersurfactant
Mild anionic emulsifierSuitable for sensitive skin emulsions
+ Glyceryl Stearate+ Cetearyl Alcohol
Surfactant
Polysorbate 20

A mild, nonionic polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester used to solubilize oils and stabilize water-based formulas.

emulsifiersolubilizer
Solubilizes fragrance and oils into water-based formulasStabilizes emulsions
Surfactant
Polysorbate 60

A mild nonionic polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester (Tween 60) used to emulsify and solubilize oils in water-based cosmetic formulas.

emulsifiersolubilizer
Effective oil-in-water emulsifierSolubilizes oils and fragrance in water-based formulas
Surfactant
Polysorbate 80

A mild, nonionic polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate ester (Tween 80) widely used to emulsify and solubilize oils in water-based cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulas.

emulsifiersolubilizer
Solubilizes oils and fragrance into water-based formulasStabilizes oil-in-water emulsions