Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a unique earthy note but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh, green scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

A fragrant compound from mint oils that adds a fresh scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; generally safe at low levels.

A synthetic fragrance compound with limited safety data; best avoided by those with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.

2-Acetonaphthone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; it is generally considered safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

2-Benzylheptanol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

2-Decenal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh citrus note but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

2-Dodecenol is a synthetic fatty alcohol used for scent and preservation, but it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, cheesy scent but offers no direct skincare benefit and may irritate sensitive skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

2-Heptanol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

2-Hexanol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

2-Isopentenal is a synthetic fragrance compound with limited safety data; it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals and is best avoided in leave-on products for reactive skin.

2-M-Cresylethanol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with mild antimicrobial properties, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

2-Methoxy-p-Cresol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a smoky, spicy note to products, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral note, but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those avoiding fragrance.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, floral scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A potent synthetic odorant rarely used in skincare; its strong sulfurous smell limits its appeal and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A fruity-smelling ester used to add a pleasant apple-like scent to products; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic ester that adds a fruity, floral scent to products; generally considered safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, nutty aroma but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some people.

A natural fatty acid used mainly for its cheesy or fruity scent; safe at low levels but not a functional skincare active.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy note but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

A synthetic fragrance compound used in tiny amounts to add a savory or roasted note; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, acidic scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a fruity or floral note but offers no skincare benefit beyond scent.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skin benefit and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance aldehyde that adds a fresh, green scent but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

2-Octenal is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh, green scent but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

2-P-Cresylethanol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with mild preservative-boosting properties, generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; generally considered low risk at typical use levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh note but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant fruity-woody note but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic cooling agent that adds a refreshing feel but may irritate sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

A synthetic cooling and minty fragrance ingredient that can add a pleasant sensation but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant aroma but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic cooling agent that adds a fresh, minty scent to products; generally well-tolerated but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at high levels.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh, minty scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, woody note but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

2-Undecenenitrile is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, citrus-like scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

2-Undecenol is a synthetic fragrance and antimicrobial ingredient used in tiny amounts, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic floral fragrance aldehyde that adds a pleasant hyacinth note but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent molecule that adds a fresh note but offers no skincare benefit; safe at low levels but unnecessary for most routines.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits and may trigger sensitivities in some people.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh green note but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, floral scent but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; best for those who tolerate synthetic scents well.

A synthetic fragrance alcohol that adds a fresh floral note but offers no skincare benefit and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a warm, nutty aroma; generally safe at low levels but offers no skin benefit.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits and may irritate sensitive skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

3-Decenol is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; it is generally safe at low levels but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

3-Ethylphenol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a phenolic, medicinal scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

3-Ethylpyridine is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a distinct note to products, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

3-Heptanol is a synthetic fragrance alcohol that adds scent but offers no skincare benefit; it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, green note to products but offers no skincare benefit.

3-Hexenal is a natural green-leaf scent used in fragrances; it can be a skin sensitizer at higher levels, so it's used in tiny amounts.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a green, fruity scent; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.