Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a pleasant scent but may cause skin sensitivity in some people, especially at higher concentrations.

Nonyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ester that adds a floral, fruity scent; it is generally safe at low levels but offers no skincare benefit.

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

Nootka cypress wood oil adds a woody, earthy scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin and has limited research on skincare benefits.

Nopol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a woody, pine-like scent, but it has limited published safety data and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

Nutmeg Fruit Oil adds a warm, spicy scent and offers antioxidant benefits, but its strong fragrance and potential for irritation mean it's best used in low concentrations and avoided by sensitive skin.

O-Allyloxyanisole is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited public safety data; it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

O-Anisaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a sweet, floral scent to products but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

O-Cresyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

o-Tolualdehyde is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a cherry-like scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Oakmoss extract is a classic natural fragrance ingredient with a rich, earthy scent, but it is also a common allergen that can cause skin reactions in sensitive individuals.

Ocimene is a natural fragrant terpene that adds a fresh, herbal scent to products, but it may cause skin sensitivity in some people, especially at higher concentrations.

Ocotea Quixos Leaf Oil adds a warm, spicy scent and offers antimicrobial benefits, but its moderate irritation risk means it's best for those without sensitive skin.

A synthetic scent ingredient that gives a warm, woody aroma but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some people.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, woody note to products but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic azulene derivative used mainly for its pleasant scent and potential soothing effects, but research on its specific benefits is limited.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, woody scent; generally safe at low levels but offers no skincare benefit.

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 ingredient that adds a woody, amber scent; generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody aroma but offers no skincare benefits and may be unnecessary for sensitive noses.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, woody scent; generally considered safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a warm, woody scent but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note to products; generally considered safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some people.

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

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note to products; generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some people.

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

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a woody, amber-like note; generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a woody, amber-like aroma; generally safe at low levels but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

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

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

Octyl Acetate is a safe, low-irritation synthetic ester used mainly as a solvent and light fragrance component in cosmetics.

Octyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

Octylphthalide is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, herbal scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Opopanax oil adds a warm, balsamic scent to skincare products and may offer mild soothing benefits, but its fragrance components can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Opopanax Resin Extract adds a warm, balsamic scent to products and may offer mild soothing benefits, but research is limited.

Orange Peel Oil adds a fresh citrus scent and mild astringent effect, but can be irritating for sensitive skin and increases sun sensitivity.

A natural balsamic oil that adds a warm, sweet scent to products, but may cause irritation or clog pores in sensitive or acne-prone skin.

A fragrant, soothing essential oil from a wild chamomile relative, best for those who enjoy natural scents and have non-sensitive skin.

Orris root oil adds a delicate floral scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin; its soothing benefits are not well-proven in modern skincare.

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

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

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

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a tropical scent but offers no skincare benefits and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.

A natural wood extract with a warm, woody scent that may offer mild antimicrobial benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Oxidized patchouli leaf extract is a fragrant botanical ingredient used mainly for its scent, but it has limited research on skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

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

P-Anisyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a sweet, floral scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

P-Anisyl Butyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a pleasant, sweet, floral scent; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

P-Anisyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a pleasant floral-sweet note to products, but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in those with fragrance allergies.

P-Anisyl Isobutyrate 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 scent ingredient that adds a sweet, pleasant aroma but offers no skincare benefits and 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 offers no skincare benefits.

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