Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

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

A synthetic cooling agent found in some cosmetics, but with limited safety data and potential for skin irritation.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a distinctive earthy, green, or bell pepper-like scent; generally safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

A widely used synthetic fragrance that adds a warm, woody scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some people.

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

Isopropyl Methyl Pyranone is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a sweet, caramel-like scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, woody note but offers no skincare benefit beyond fragrance.

A widely used synthetic fragrance that gives a warm, woody scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skin benefit; safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some people.

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

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

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a pleasant floral note but offers no skincare benefits.

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

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

Isopropyl methylphenetole is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note but offers no skincare benefit and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.

A synthetic fragrance compound that provides a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; generally safe but may cause reactions in sensitive individuals.

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

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

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

Isopropyl Tiglate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

A widely used synthetic fragrance that adds a warm, woody scent; generally safe but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

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

Isopropylmethylhexenal is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a floral-woody scent, but it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Isopropylmethylhexenol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral-green scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that can make products smell pleasant but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A common synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a floral scent but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds pleasant scent but may cause skin sensitivity in some people.

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

Isopropylquinoline is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Isopulegol is a natural minty fragrance component that can be sensitizing for some, especially at higher concentrations.

Isopulegyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a fresh, minty scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Isopulegyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, minty scent, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Isovaleric acid is mainly used for its scent and to adjust product pH, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

A fragrant citrus oil that adds a fresh scent to products but may cause irritation for sensitive skin due to natural aromatic compounds.

A fragrant essential oil with some antimicrobial potential, but its strong aroma and risk of skin irritation limit its use in everyday skincare.

A gentle, aromatic hydrosol that adds a light floral scent and mild soothing feel to skincare, but its benefits beyond fragrance are not strongly supported by research.

Jasmine lactone is a natural fragrance ingredient with a delicate floral scent and mild skin-conditioning potential, but its benefits are mostly aromatic rather than therapeutic.

Jasmopyrane is a widely used synthetic fragrance that mimics jasmine; it is generally safe at low levels but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Jatamansi oil offers antioxidant and calming benefits, but its strong fragrance and limited human studies mean it's best used in low concentrations and patch-tested first.

Jatamansi Root Oil offers antioxidant and soothing benefits, but its strong scent and potential for skin irritation mean it's best used in low concentrations.

Juniper berry oil adds a woody, fresh scent to products but may irritate sensitive skin and has limited proven skincare benefits beyond fragrance.

Juniper Wood Oil adds a woody, fresh scent to skincare while offering antioxidant benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

L-Allo-Ocimenol is a natural fragrance ingredient with limited research on skin benefits; it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

L-Carvyl Propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, minty scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

L-Menthanone adds a refreshing, cooling feel to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher levels.

Lactoscatone is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a creamy note to products, but it has limited published safety data and is primarily used for fragrance.

Laevo-Carvyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a fresh, minty scent, but offers no direct skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

Laevo-rose oxide adds a delicate rose scent to products and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but its main role is fragrance.

Lauraldehyde is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

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

Lavandin Abrial Herb Oil adds a pleasant lavender-like scent to products, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin due to its essential oil content.

Lavandin Grosso Oil adds a fresh, herbal scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its high camphor content.

Lavandin oil adds a pleasant lavender-like scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its high camphor content.

Lavandulyl acetate adds a gentle lavender-like scent to products and may offer mild skin soothing, but it is primarily a fragrance ingredient with limited direct skincare benefits.

Lavender flower water is a mild, aromatic hydrosol that can add a pleasant scent and a touch of soothing hydration to skincare, but its benefits are subtle and it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.