Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A pre-blended fragrance mix that adds scent but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

This is a fragrance blend with limited public data; it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A generic fragrance blend that adds scent but may cause irritation in sensitive skin—check for individual allergen listings.

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

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

A common fragrance blend that adds scent but may cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

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

This is a regulatory fragrance code, not a single ingredient—it signals a specific fragrance blend that may contain allergens, so sensitive skin should approach with caution.

This is a fragrance blend with a regulatory code; it adds scent but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

A fragrant resin extract that may help calm skin and provide a pleasant scent, but can be irritating for sensitive skin at high concentrations.

Frankincense oil adds a warm, woody scent and offers antioxidant benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin if used at high concentrations.

A sweet-smelling fragrance compound found naturally in strawberries and other fruits; generally safe at low levels but offers no skincare benefit.

Furfural is a potential skin sensitizer and irritant; it is rarely used as a direct cosmetic ingredient and is more commonly a trace byproduct or manufacturing intermediate.

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

A potent aroma chemical used in tiny amounts to add a roasted, coffee-like scent; generally safe but can cause allergies in sensitive individuals.

Furfuryl Valerate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, fruity note to products, but it has limited published safety data and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

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

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, caramel-like scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Galbanum gum is a natural resin with a rich history in traditional medicine, but modern skincare evidence is limited to its soothing and aromatic potential.

Galbanum Resin Oil adds a unique green, woody scent to products but has limited research on direct skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Gamma-Decalactone is a safe, fruity fragrance ingredient used at low levels in cosmetics, but it offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.

Gamma-Heptalactone is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a sweet, creamy note to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh floral note but has limited published safety data beyond basic skin irritation tests.

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

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a creamy, peach-like scent to products, but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

Gamma-Nonalactone is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a sweet, coconut-like aroma to products; it is generally safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic peach-scented fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant aroma but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Gamma-Undecenolactone is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a pleasant scent to products but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

Gardenia Florida Oil adds a lovely floral scent to products, but its skin benefits are not well-studied and it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Geranial adds a fresh lemon scent to products but can be a skin sensitizer, especially at higher concentrations or on sensitive skin.

Geranic acid is a natural fragrance compound with some antimicrobial potential, but its use is limited by a moderate risk of skin irritation.

Geraniol adds a natural rose scent to products but can be a skin sensitizer for some people, especially at higher concentrations.

A fragrant botanical oil that may help balance oily and dry skin, but can be irritating for sensitive skin types.

Geranium flower oil adds a floral scent and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its fragrance components.

A gentle, aromatic oil that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant support, but research is still early.

A fragrant geranium oil with mild astringent benefits, but its strong scent and potential for irritation mean it's best for those without sensitive skin.

Geranyl acetate is a natural floral fragrance ingredient that can cause skin sensitization in some individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

Geranyl Acetoacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products but offers no skincare benefits on its own.

Geranyl Benzoate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, rose-like scent to products; it is generally well-tolerated but may cause sensitivity in those with fragrance allergies.

Geranyl Butyrate adds a pleasant floral scent to products but can be a skin sensitizer for some people, especially those with fragrance allergies.

Geranyl Crotonate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products but offers no direct skincare benefits.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral note but offers no skincare benefits.

Geranyl formate is a natural fragrance ester that adds a pleasant rose-like scent, but it can be a potential skin sensitizer for some individuals.

Geranyl Hexanoate is a synthetic floral fragrance ingredient that is generally well-tolerated but offers no direct skin benefit beyond scent.

Geranyl isobutyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle floral-herbal fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products but offers no direct skin benefit.

Geranyl Linalool is a natural fragrance compound that adds a pleasant floral-woody scent but may cause skin sensitivity in some people.

A floral-scented synthetic ester used to add a pleasant rose-honey note to products; generally safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Geranyl propionate is a synthetic fragrance ester that adds a floral, rose-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Geranyl Tiglate is a natural fragrance ester that adds a pleasant floral-herbal scent, but it offers no direct skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in those allergic to fragrance ingredients.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh floral-green note but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

A natural resin derivative that helps fragrances last longer and creates a flexible film on skin or hair.

Grapefruit Peel Oil adds a fresh citrus scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin and may increase sun sensitivity.

A natural, fragrant oil that adds a subtle herbal scent and mild conditioning to skincare, but may irritate sensitive skin due to its aromatic compounds.

Guaiacol Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, smoky, or vanilla-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

Guaiacol Phenylacetate is primarily a fragrance ingredient with a low irritation risk, but it offers no direct skincare benefits.

Guaiacwood oil offers antioxidant and soothing benefits with a warm, woody scent, but is primarily used as a fragrance component.