Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Ethyl O-Anisate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, anise-like scent to products; it has low irritation potential but offers no direct skin benefits.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a sweet, coconut-like note to products, but offers no skincare benefit and may be unnecessary for fragrance-free routines.

Ethyl Octanoate is a gentle, fruity-scented emollient that adds a pleasant fragrance and silky feel to products, but offers no active skincare benefits.

Ethyl P-Cresylcarbonate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, floral scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Ethyl P-Toluate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with low irritation potential, but it offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.

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

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

Ethyl Phenoxyacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a low irritation risk, but it offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.

Ethyl Phenylacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, honey-like scent to products, but it offers no direct skincare benefits.

Ethyl propionate is a synthetic ester used for its fruity, rum-like scent; it is generally considered safe in low concentrations but offers no direct skin benefit.

A synthetic ingredient that helps condition skin and may add a pleasant scent, but research on its specific benefits is limited.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits; generally safe at low levels but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Ethyl Tiglate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, floral note to products; it is generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a pleasant floral-herbal scent but offers no direct skin benefit beyond sensory appeal.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a fresh, woody scent but offers no direct skincare benefits.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note to products; generally safe but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Ethyl Valerate is a mild synthetic ester used for scent and slight skin feel, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Ethyl Vanillate is a gentle, vanilla-scented antioxidant that adds a pleasant fragrance to skincare, but it's not a powerhouse ingredient for skin benefits.

Ethyl vanillin is a synthetic vanilla-scented fragrance ingredient that is generally safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

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

A widely used synthetic musk that provides a pleasant scent with a generally good safety profile, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Ethylene Dodecanedioate is a synthetic ester that adds a pleasant musky scent to products and helps condition the skin, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Ethylhexanal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note to products; generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some people.

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

A synthetic floral scent ingredient that is generally safe at low levels but may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance aldehyde that adds a pleasant floral note but may cause skin sensitivity in some people.

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

Eucalyptol adds a refreshing, cooling feel to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

A fragrant essential oil that can add a refreshing scent to products, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

Eucalyptus Dives Oil adds a fresh, herbal scent and may help with mild antimicrobial effects, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Eucalyptus leaf oil adds a refreshing scent and may offer mild soothing effects, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Eucalyptus oil adds a fresh, invigorating scent and may help with oily or blemish-prone skin, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin types.

A fragrant eucalyptus oil that adds a fresh scent and may offer mild soothing effects, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Eucalyptus radiata oil adds a fresh, herbal scent and may help clarify oily or blemish-prone skin, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and should always be used in low concentrations.

A fragrant essential oil with mild antimicrobial and soothing properties, but can be irritating for sensitive skin if used at high concentrations.

Eugenol is a natural fragrance ingredient that can cause irritation for sensitive skin, so it's best used in low concentrations.

Eugenyl formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a clove-like scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Eugenyl phenylacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a clove-like scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A natural fragrant oil from citrus peels that adds a fresh scent and mild astringency, but can be irritating for sensitive skin and may increase sun sensitivity.

Fabiana Imbricata Oil is a fragrant essential oil with limited skincare research; it may offer a pleasant scent but poses a risk of skin irritation for sensitive individuals.

A gentle floral water that adds a light scent and mild skin conditioning to products, but lacks strong research backing for specific benefits.

Farnesal is a natural fragrance compound that can add a pleasant floral note to products, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Farnesol is a gentle, naturally derived fragrance ingredient that also helps preserve formulas, but it can be a contact allergen for sensitive individuals.

Fenchone is a natural fragrance compound with a camphor-like scent, but it has limited skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Fenchyl Acetate is a natural fragrance compound that adds a fresh, pine-like scent to products, but it may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Fenchyl alcohol is a natural fragrance component that adds a pine-like scent but offers no direct skin benefit.

Fir needle oil adds a fresh, woodsy scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

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

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

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a floral-woody scent but may pose a risk of skin irritation or allergy for sensitive individuals.

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

Fragrance adds scent but is a common skin sensitizer; those with sensitive skin may prefer fragrance-free products.

This is a regulatory marker for fragrance allergens, not a single ingredient; it signals potential sensitizers in scented products.

A regulatory code for a mix of fragrance allergens that may cause skin reactions in sensitive individuals.

This is a regulatory code for a fragrance allergen, not a standalone cosmetic ingredient—it signals potential sensitization risk for sensitive individuals.

A generic fragrance blend that adds scent but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

This is a regulatory code for a specific fragrance blend; it may contain common allergens and can cause irritation in sensitive individuals.