Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Lavender oil adds a pleasant floral scent to skincare but can cause irritation in sensitive skin; use with caution.

A gentle, aromatic hydrosol that adds a subtle lavender scent and mild soothing feel to skincare, but offers limited active benefits compared to essential oils.

A fragrant wood oil with a pleasant scent and some antimicrobial potential, but limited research on direct skin benefits and a moderate risk of irritation for sensitive skin.

Leaf oils add natural fragrance to skincare but can be irritating for sensitive skin; patch test recommended.

A fragrant essential oil from lemon plant parts that adds a fresh citrus scent and mild astringent feel, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Lemon leaf oil adds a fresh citrus scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin and has limited research on direct skin benefits.

A fragrant essential oil that adds a fresh lemon scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin and may increase sun sensitivity.

A fragrant essential oil that adds a fresh, minty-citrus scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Lemon Myrtle Leaf Oil adds a fresh citrus scent and may help fight bacteria, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin if used at high concentrations.

Lemon Peel Oil adds a fresh citrus scent and mild astringent effects, but it can be irritating and increase sun sensitivity.

Lemon Verbena Leaf Oil adds a pleasant lemony scent to products but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

Lemon verbena oil adds a pleasant lemony scent to products but has limited research on skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A fragrant essential oil with mild antimicrobial potential, but its strong aroma and possible skin sensitivity limit its use in skincare.

Lemongrass oil adds a fresh citrus scent and mild astringent action, but can be irritating for sensitive skin if used at high concentrations.

A fragrant leaf oil that adds a sweet, vanilla-like scent to products, but has limited research on skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle, fragrant flower oil that adds a light emollient feel and a subtle floral scent, but research on its specific skin benefits is limited.

Lime oil adds a fresh citrus scent and some antioxidant activity, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and may increase sun sensitivity.

Lime peel oil adds a bright citrus scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin and increases sun sensitivity.

Lime Peel Water adds a fresh citrus scent and mild astringency to products, but its fragrance can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Limonene adds a fresh citrus scent but can be a skin sensitizer, especially when oxidized.

Linalool is a common fragrant component of many essential oils; it can cause skin sensitization in some people, especially when oxidized.

Linalool Dihydroepoxide is a synthetic scent ingredient that can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, especially when oxidized.

Linalool oxide is a common fragrance ingredient that can cause skin sensitivity in some people, especially when oxidized.

Linalyl acetate is a fragrant ester from lavender and other plants that adds a floral, calming scent to products, but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Linalyl anthranilate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, fruity scent to products, but it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Linalyl Benzoate is a synthetic fragrance ester that adds a pleasant scent to products, but its primary role is aesthetic rather than functional for skin health.

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

Linalyl Cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, floral scent to products but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Linalyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, fruity 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 floral, slightly fruity scent to products; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, lavender-like scent; generally safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Linalyl isovalerate 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.

Linalyl Methyl Ether is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, floral note but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a sweet, floral scent but offers no direct skin benefit.

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

Lindera twig oil offers a natural, aromatic option for soothing and antioxidant support, but its potency means it should be used in low concentrations to avoid irritation.

Lindera Umbellata Leaf Oil is a natural essential oil that adds a pleasant scent and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but it carries a moderate risk of skin irritation, especially for sensitive skin.

A gentle, aromatic oil from Japanese spicebush that may offer soothing benefits, but research is limited and it can cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A fragrant botanical oil with some antioxidant potential, but limited research on skincare benefits and a moderate risk of skin irritation.

Litsea cubeba fruit oil adds a fresh citrus scent and may help with mild antimicrobial benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Longifolene is a natural pine-derived fragrance compound with some emerging research on anti-inflammatory benefits, but its primary role in skincare is scent.

Lovage leaf oil adds a fresh, herbal scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin, so it's best used in low concentrations.

Lovage Root Oil adds a herbal, celery-like scent to products but has limited research on skin benefits and may irritate sensitive skin.

A once-popular synthetic floral scent that is now heavily restricted in the EU due to a high rate of allergic reactions.

M-Cresyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, floral note to products, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

M-Hydroxyanisole is a synthetic fragrance and antioxidant ingredient that can help stabilize formulas but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that is increasingly restricted due to potential skin sensitization and reproductive toxicity concerns.

M-Tolualdehyde is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds almond-like notes but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Mace oil adds a warm, spicy scent to products and offers antioxidant benefits, but its potency means it can irritate sensitive skin if used too strong.

A delicate floral oil that adds a natural fragrance and mild skin conditioning, but its benefits are mostly aromatic rather than therapeutic.

A gentle, aromatic floral water that adds a light fragrance and soothing feel to skincare products, but with limited research on specific skin benefits.

Maltol is a sweet-smelling compound that adds a caramel-like scent to products and offers mild antioxidant benefits, but it is primarily a fragrance ingredient.

Mandarin Leaf Oil adds a fresh citrus scent to products but may irritate sensitive skin; its skincare benefits are not well-studied.

Mandarin Orange Peel Oil adds a fresh citrus scent and mild antioxidant benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin, especially in sunlight.

Mandarin Peel Oil adds a fresh citrus scent and mild astringent action, but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to natural limonene content.

Marigold flower oil adds a pleasant floral scent and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but it can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

Marjoram flower oil offers a calming, aromatic experience with mild antioxidant benefits, but its fragrance components can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Marjoram leaf oil adds a warm herbal scent and may offer mild soothing benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Marjoram oil offers a pleasant herbal scent and potential antioxidant benefits, but its essential oil nature means it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Melissa Leaf Oil offers a calming, herbal scent and antioxidant benefits, but its potency means it can be irritating for sensitive skin.