Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

P-Cresol is a synthetic fragrance and preservative compound that can be irritating; it is rarely used in modern leave-on skincare and is best avoided by sensitive skin.

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

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

P-Cresyl Benzoate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

p-Cresyl Isobutyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, floral note to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a sweet, floral note to products but offers no skincare benefit beyond scent.

P-Cresyl Methyl Ether is a synthetic fragrance component that adds a pleasant floral note but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

A synthetic ester that adds a subtle scent and light conditioning feel, but offers no active skincare benefits.

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

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

P-Ethylphenetole is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited published safety data; it is generally considered 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 levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

P-Menthadiene is a natural fragrance compound with mild antioxidant potential, but it may cause skin sensitivity in some people.

P-Menthanone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a minty or herbal note, but it offers no direct skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic minty fragrance that adds a fresh scent but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

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

P-Methoxypropiophenone is a synthetic fragrance compound with limited safety data; 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 benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

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

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

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

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

p-Tolyl Phenylacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, honey-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

P-Vinylphenol is a synthetic fragrance compound with limited cosmetic research; it may pose irritation risks and is not a functional skincare active.

Palmarosa oil adds a pleasant floral scent and may help reduce bacteria on skin, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin if used at high concentrations.

Pandan leaf oil adds a pleasant natural fragrance and mild antioxidant benefits, but its strong aroma and limited research mean it's best for those who enjoy botanical scents and have no fragrance sensitivities.

Parsley Leaf Oil adds a fresh herbal scent and antioxidant benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.

Patchouli Leaf Oil adds a warm, earthy scent to products and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but it's primarily a fragrance ingredient with limited direct skincare research.

Peel oils add a fresh citrus scent and mild antioxidant activity, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin and are primarily used for fragrance.

Pentadecalactone is a synthetic musk that adds a pleasant, long-lasting scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those avoiding synthetic fragrances.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral note but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

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

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

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

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral-woody note but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral-green note but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Peppermint oil adds a cooling tingle and fresh scent to products, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Perillyl alcohol is a natural aromatic compound with some antioxidant promise, but it's used in tiny amounts mainly for scent and may irritate sensitive skin.

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

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

Phenethyl acetate is a pleasant-smelling fragrance ingredient found naturally in many flowers and fruits, generally considered safe at the low levels used in cosmetics.

A gentle, rose-scented alcohol that adds fragrance and helps preserve formulas without the drying effects of denatured alcohol.

Phenethyl anthranilate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with mild UV-absorbing properties, generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Phenethyl benzoate is a gentle synthetic ester that helps condition skin and carry fragrance, with a low risk of irritation.

Phenethyl Butyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral or fruity scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Phenethyl Cinnamate is a gentle, naturally derived fragrance ingredient with some antioxidant potential, but its benefits in skincare are not yet well-established.

Phenethyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, rose-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

Phenethyl Isovalerate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral-honey note to products, with a low risk of irritation for most people.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral note but offers no skincare benefit and may be unnecessary for sensitive noses.

Phenethyl Phenylacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, floral scent to products but offers no direct skincare benefits.

A synthetic ester that adds a mild floral scent and light emollient feel, generally considered safe at low concentrations.

Phenethyl Propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, floral scent to products, but it offers no skin benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Phenethyl Salicylate is a gentle synthetic ingredient that adds a pleasant floral scent and offers mild UV protection, but it is not a primary sunscreen agent.

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

Phenoxyacetaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a floral scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with low irritation potential, but it offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.

Phenyl benzoate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Phenylacetaldehyde adds a floral, hyacinth-like scent to products but can be a skin sensitizer for some individuals.

A synthetic floral scent ingredient that can be a skin sensitizer for some people, especially at higher concentrations.