Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Methyloctenol is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh note but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Methyloctenyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, fruity scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

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

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

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

A synthetic fragrance compound that provides scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic floral scent ingredient that can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

A synthetic floral scent that can be a skin sensitizer for some people, especially those with fragrance allergies.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, nutty note to products but offers no skincare benefit.

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

Methylvaleric Acid is a synthetic fatty acid used mainly for scent and pH control; it has limited direct skin benefit and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher levels.

A fragrant wood oil that adds a warm, woody scent to products but may irritate sensitive skin if used at high levels.

A fragrant leaf oil that adds a pleasant floral scent and mild conditioning to products, but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Mixed Ionones add a floral, violet-like scent to products and may offer mild antimicrobial benefits, but they are primarily a fragrance ingredient with limited direct skin benefit.

Monarda Didyma Oil adds a pleasant minty-citrus scent and may offer mild antimicrobial benefits, but its fragrance components can irritate sensitive skin.

Mugo Pine Leaf Oil adds a fresh pine scent to products but may irritate sensitive skin; it's best used in low concentrations.

Mugo pine twig oil adds a fresh, woodsy scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its essential oil nature.

Muscone is a natural musk compound used for its distinctive scent; it is generally safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic musk that adds a warm, long-lasting scent to products, but may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

Musk Ketone is a synthetic musk fragrance that provides a long-lasting sweet scent, but its use has declined due to concerns about bioaccumulation and potential skin sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh scent but offers no skincare benefits; best for those who enjoy a light, citrusy aroma.

Myrcenol is a fragrant terpene that adds a pleasant scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Myrcenyl acetate is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy note but offers no skincare benefits.

A fragrant plant oil with limited research; may offer antioxidant benefits but poses a moderate risk of skin irritation for sensitive individuals.

Myristaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, citrusy scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

A fragrant tree oil that adds a warm, woody scent to products and may offer mild soothing benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Myrocarpus Wood Oil adds a warm, woody scent to products but has limited research on specific skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Myrrh Gum Oil offers soothing and astringent benefits but can be irritating for sensitive skin; use in low concentrations.

Myrrh oil adds a warm, earthy scent and may help calm skin, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin types.

Myrtenol adds a fresh, pine-like scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

Myrtenyl Acetate is a fragrant ester found in essential oils; it adds scent to products but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Myrtenyl Formate adds a pleasant pine-like scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

A fragrant flower oil that adds a pleasant scent to products but has limited research on skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentle floral water that adds a light scent and mild soothing feel, but lacks strong scientific backing for specific skin benefits.

A gentle floral water with mild astringent and soothing properties, best for normal to oily skin types, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals due to natural fragrance compounds.

A fragrant flower oil from a Japanese citrus fruit, valued for its scent but with limited research on skin benefits.

A citrus oil that adds a fresh scent to products but may irritate sensitive skin and offers limited proven skincare benefits beyond fragrance.

A fragrant citrus oil that adds a fresh scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin due to natural limonene content.

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

Neral adds a bright lemon scent to products but can be a skin sensitizer, so it's best for those without fragrance sensitivities.

Nerol is a natural floral fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant rose-like scent to products but offers no proven skincare benefits beyond aroma.

Nerol Oxide is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral-citrus note, but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Nerolidol is a natural fragrance ingredient with some early research suggesting antioxidant and skin-soothing benefits, but its main role in cosmetics is scent.

Nerolidyl Acetate is a gentle, naturally derived fragrance ingredient with mild skin-conditioning potential, but its benefits are secondary to its scent profile.

Neryl acetate is a gentle, naturally derived fragrance ingredient with low irritation potential, but it offers no active skincare benefits beyond scent and mild conditioning.

Neryl butyrate is a synthetic fragrance ester that adds a pleasant fruity-floral note to products, but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in those with fragrance allergies.

Neryl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no direct skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Neryl isobutyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, fruity scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skin benefit beyond fragrance.

Neryl Isovalerate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a pleasant floral-herbal scent; it is considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.

Neryl propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

A fragrant, soothing oil from New Caledonian sandalwood, but may cause irritation in sensitive skin due to its aromatic compounds.

A gentle, aromatic water from New Caledonian sandalwood that can soothe skin and provide a subtle fragrance, but its benefits are largely anecdotal and it may cause sensitivity in those allergic to sandalwood.

Non-2-Enal is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh, green note to products but offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.

Non-2-Enenitrile is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, green scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Nona-2,4-dienal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fatty, aldehyde note but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Nonadienol is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh violet scent to products; it is generally safe but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Nonan-2-One is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, floral note but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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