The library

Ingredient library

Every ingredient SkinAtlas knows about — all 2178 of them. What each one does, what it works well with, and what to watch for.

182 ingredients in Surfactant — page 6 of 8

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
Surfactant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

The potassium salt of cetyl phosphate, a mild anionic emulsifier widely used in premium skin-care creams and lotions to create stable oil-in-water emulsions.

emulsifiersurfactant
Effective oil-in-water emulsifier for rich creamsImparts a luxurious, stable emulsion textureCompatible with a wide pH range
Surfactant
Potassium Cocoate

The potassium salt of coconut oil fatty acids (saponified coconut oil), used as a cleansing surfactant and soap base in facial cleansers and body washes.

SurfactantCleansingEmulsifyingFoaming agent
Effective cleansing and latheringBiodegradable, naturally-derived soap surfactantTraditional soap formulation base
May disrupt skin barrier at high concentrations or with prolonged contactCan be drying with frequent use
Surfactant
Potassium Cocoyl Glutamate
POTASSIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE

The potassium salt of N-cocoyl glutamic acid. A mild, amino acid-derived anionic surfactant. Functions as a gentle cleansing agent and foam booster. Used in Elixir Reflet Balancing Water.

surfactantcleansing
Amino acid-based surfactant — gentle cleansingGood skin compatibility
+ Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate+ Lauryl Betaine
Surfactant
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate

A potassium salt of cocoyl glycinate, a mild amino acid-based surfactant derived from coconut fatty acids and glycine that provides gentle cleansing with good skin compatibility.

surfactantcleansing agentfoaming agent
Mild amino acid-derived surfactant with low irritation potentialProvides gentle cleansing without disrupting skin barrierBiodegradable and suitable for sensitive skin formulas
Generally well-tolerated; rare sensitivity possible at high concentrations
Surfactant
Potassium Laurate
POTASSIUM LAURATE

The potassium salt of lauric acid (C12 fatty acid). A traditional soap surfactant with excellent foaming properties. Used in Rosette's cleansing paste.

surfactantcleansing
Soap surfactant — rich, stable foamEffective cleansing
May be drying at high concentrations
+ Potassium Myristate+ Glycerin
Surfactant
Potassium Myristate
POTASSIUM MYRISTATE

The potassium salt of myristic acid (C14 fatty acid). A traditional soap surfactant formed by saponification. Used in Rosette's cleansing paste for cleansing and foam generation.

surfactantcleansingemulsifier
Soap surfactant — effective cleansing and foamTraditional cleanser ingredient
Soap-based cleansers can disrupt skin pH; may be drying for sensitive/dry skin
+ Potassium Stearate+ Glycerin
Surfactant
Potassium Stearate
POTASSIUM STEARATE

The potassium salt of stearic acid (C18 fatty acid). A traditional soap surfactant. Used alongside other soap salts in Rosette's cleansing paste.

surfactantcleansingemulsifier
Soap surfactant — effective cleansingEmulsifying properties
May be slightly drying for sensitive skin
+ Potassium Myristate+ Glycerin
Surfactant
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract

A bark extract from Quillaja saponaria (soapbark tree) rich in triterpene saponins that act as mild natural surfactants and foaming agents in cleansers.

SurfactantCleansingFoaming agentEmulsifying
Gentle natural foaming actionEffective at low concentrationsMild cleansing without stripping
May cause irritation at high concentrations due to saponin content
Surfactant
Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract

Extract from the fruit of Sapindus mukorossi (Chinese soapberry / soapnut tree), which grows across South and East Asia. The pericarp is naturally rich in triterpenoid saponins that function as gentle, plant-derived surfactants. Used in Ayurvedic tradition as a natural hair and skin cleanser. In contemporary skincare, it appears as a mild natural cleansing agent and antimicrobial booster in multi-functional formulas.

cleansingsurfactantantimicrobial
Naturally rich in saponins — plant-based surfactants that gently cleanse by emulsifying oil and dirtNatural saponins are biodegradable and well-tolerated by most skin typesMild antimicrobial properties from saponin content make it useful in acne-care formulas
High saponin concentrations can be irritating or drying; typically used at trace levels in formulas
+ Centella Asiatica Extract+ Allantoin
Surfactant
Sapindus Mukurossi Fruit Extract
SAPINDUS MUKUROSSI FRUIT EXTRACT

Extract from the fruit of Sapindus mukurossi (soapberry), which contains natural saponins. These saponins act as gentle surfactants and also have mild anti-inflammatory properties. Used in Elixir Retino Power and Spot Clear Serum.

surfactantcleansingsoothing
Natural saponin surfactant — gentle cleansingAnti-inflammatory and soothingPlant-derived
+ Allantoin+ Glycerin
Surfactant
Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract

Leaf extract of common soapwort (Saponaria officinalis), a saponin-rich plant used for its gentle surfactant cleansing and mild skin-soothing properties.

surfactantcleansingsoothing
Natural saponin-derived cleansing actionSoothing to skin
Surfactant
Sodium C12-15 Alkyl Benzenesulfonate

A synthetic anionic alkylbenzenesulfonate surfactant derived from C12–C15 alkyl chains, used for its cleansing and foaming properties in wash-off personal care formulas.

surfactantcleansing
Effective cleansing and foam-generation in wash-off products
Anionic sulfonate surfactant; potential for mild skin irritation or barrier disruption at high use levels
Surfactant
Sodium Coco-Sulfate

A mixture of sodium alkyl sulfate esters derived from coconut oil fatty acids, used as an anionic surfactant for cleansing and foaming in personal care products.

surfactantcleansingfoaming
Effective cleansing and foam generationMilder alternative to sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) — approximately 15% lower skin irritation potential
Moderate skin and eye irritant; potential to denature surface proteins and disrupt epidermal lipids at high concentrationsMay damage the protective skin barrier with prolonged use
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
SODIUM COCOAMPHOACETATE

An amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil. Carries both positive and negative charges depending on pH, making it highly compatible with skin's amphoteric surface. Used as a primary or co-surfactant in mild cleansing foams, especially for sensitive and dry skin.

surfactantfoam-boosterskin-conditioning
Very gentle, mild amphoteric surfactant suitable for sensitive skinExcellent foam qualityLow irritation potential
+ Myristic Acid+ Glycerin+ Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate

An amino acid-derived surfactant made by condensing coconut fatty acids with L-alanine, used in gentle facial cleansers and foaming washes for its mild, low-irritation cleansing profile.

cleansingfoamingsurfactant
Gentle amino acid-derived surfactant with low irritation potentialProduces a creamy latherBiodegradable and skin-compatible
Minimal; one of the mildest surfactant classes
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids

A mild amino acid-based surfactant formed from coconut-derived fatty acids conjugated with amino acids from hydrolyzed apple protein, used in gentle cleansing formulations.

SurfactantCleansingFoaming agentSkin conditioning
Extremely mild, amino acid-derived surfactantApple-sourced amino acids improve skin compatibilitySuitable for sensitive skin formulations
Very low risk profile; among the gentlest surfactants available
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate

An amino acid-based anionic surfactant derived from coconut oil and glutamic acid, used for gentle cleansing and foaming in skin care and hair care products.

surfactantcleansingfoaming
Mild amino acid-based surfactant with good skin toleranceBiodegradable and suitable for sensitive skin formulas
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate

A mild amino-acid-derived surfactant (coconut fatty acid + glycine) used in gentle cleansers for its skin-friendly, low-irritation cleansing with a creamy lather.

cleansingemulsifier
Very gentle, skin-friendly cleansingDerived from coconut and glycine amino acidMaintains skin's natural moisture during cleansing
Surfactant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

A mild surfactant common in syndet bars and gentle cleansers.

Gentle, creamy cleansing
Surfactant
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
Dilauroyl Glutamate Lysine Na

A sodium salt gemini-type amino acid surfactant synthesized from lauroyl glutamate and lysine, used in Japanese cosmetic cleansers and emulsions for mild cleansing and skin conditioning.

surfactantskin-conditioningemulsifier
Mild, amino acid-based gemini surfactantConditions and softens skin during useGentle enough for sensitive skin formulations
Surfactant
Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate

A sodium salt of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LAS/SDBS), used as an anionic surfactant providing cleansing, emulsifying, and wetting functions in cosmetic formulations.

surfactantcleansingemulsifying
Strong cleansing and emulsifying performance in wash-off formulas
Anionic sulfonate surfactant; potential for skin irritation and barrier disruption, particularly at higher concentrations
Surfactant
Sodium Isethionate

A mild synthetic surfactant derived from isethionic acid, commonly used in syndet cleansers for its extremely gentle, non-stripping lather and skin-conditioning feel.

cleansingconditioning
Very mild, non-stripping cleansingLeaves skin feeling soft and conditioned after cleansingGood skin-feel profile in syndet (synthetic detergent) bars and cleansers