Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Hexyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, apple-like scent to products, but offers no direct skincare benefits.

Hexyl Isobutyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, sweet scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Hexyl Isovalerate is a safe, low-irritation fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no direct skincare benefits.

Hexyl Methyl Ketone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, floral scent but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a fruity, apple-like scent to products; generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

Hexyl Propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, apple-like scent; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

Hexyl Salicylate is a widely used synthetic fragrance that adds a pleasant floral note to products, but it may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

Hexylcyclopentanone is a synthetic scent ingredient that makes products smell pleasant, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some people.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds fragrance but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, green note to products but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, green scent to products but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A fragrant essential oil with a fresh, woody scent that may offer soothing benefits but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Ho Wood Leaf Oil offers a gentle, linalool-rich alternative to lavender for calming skin and mind, but requires proper dilution to avoid irritation.

Ho Wood Oil offers a gentle, floral-woody scent and potential soothing benefits, but like all essential oils, it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Homogeranyl nitrile is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy note but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

A synthetic floral scent that can make products smell lovely but may cause skin reactions in sensitive individuals.

Huon Pine Wood Oil adds a distinctive woody fragrance to products but has limited research on skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Hydratropic alcohol adds a mild floral scent and helps preserve formulas, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

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

Hydratropyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Hydrocinnamaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, floral scent but may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A mild synthetic fragrance ester that adds a sweet, floral scent to products but offers no skincare benefits.

Hydrocinnamyl Cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, balsamic scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

Hydrocinnamyl isobutyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, balsamic scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, woody scent but has limited published safety data compared to more common fragrance materials.

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

Hydroxybenzaldehyde is a natural aromatic compound used for scent and mild antioxidant benefits, but it can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

Hydroxycitronellal is a common synthetic fragrance that gives a floral scent, but it can be a skin sensitizer for some people, especially those with sensitive or allergy-prone skin.

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

A synthetic floral scent ingredient that is generally safe but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, jasmine-like scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance blend that adds floral and animalic notes but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a sweet, floral scent; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A common floral fragrance ingredient that can cause skin irritation or allergies in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance that is a common allergen; many brands have phased it out due to safety regulations.

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

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

Hydroxynonanone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited research; it appears safe at low concentrations but offers no active skincare benefits.

Hyssop Oil offers antimicrobial and soothing benefits but can be irritating for sensitive skin and is primarily used for its scent.

Incense Cedar Oil adds a woody, earthy scent to products but has limited research on skin benefits and may irritate sensitive skin.

Indole is a fragrant compound found in flowers and coal tar, used in tiny amounts for scent; it can be irritating at higher levels and is not a primary active ingredient.

Ionone adds a pleasant violet scent to products but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

A fragrant botanical oil that can add a subtle floral scent and mild skin-conditioning benefits, but its use is limited by potential irritation and lack of strong research.

Isoamyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a fruity scent; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh, green scent to products, but may cause sensitivity in those with fragrance allergies.

Isoamyl Benzoate is a synthetic ester that adds a pleasant, fruity scent to products and helps condition the skin, with a low risk of irritation for most people.

Isoamyl Butyrate is a synthetic fruity-scented ester used in cosmetics for fragrance; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Isoamyl Cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a warm, cinnamic scent to products, but it may be a potential skin sensitizer for some individuals.

A synthetic ester that adds a fruity scent to products; generally considered safe at low concentrations but lacks extensive skin-benefit research.

Isoamyl formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, apple-like scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in those with fragrance allergies.

Isoamyl Geranate is a gentle synthetic ester that adds a pleasant floral scent and light skin-conditioning feel, but it offers no active skincare benefits.

Isoamyl hexanoate is a synthetic ester that adds a fruity apple-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits beyond fragrance.

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

A mild synthetic ester that helps condition skin and adds a pleasant scent, generally safe for most skin types.