Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

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

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

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

A synthetic floral scent ingredient that can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, but is generally safe at low concentrations.

A synthetic floral scent ingredient that is generally safe at low levels but offers no skincare benefit beyond fragrance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A synthetic floral scent ingredient that is generally well-tolerated but offers no skincare benefits.

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

Phenylpropane is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits; it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Phenylpropanol is a mild fragrance ingredient that also helps preserve formulas, but it offers no direct skin benefit.

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

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral note but offers no skincare benefit and may be a concern for those sensitive to fragrance.

A fragrant wood oil with mild antimicrobial potential, best suited for those who enjoy botanical scents and have resilient skin.

Phthalates are controversial synthetic chemicals linked to endocrine disruption; most are banned or restricted in cosmetics in many regions, but consumers should still check labels for hidden sources.

Pimento berry oil adds a warm, spicy scent and offers antioxidant benefits, but its essential oil nature means it can irritate sensitive skin if used too strong.

Pimento leaf oil adds a warm, spicy scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin; it's best used in low concentrations.

Pinanal is a synthetic pine-scented fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh aroma but offers no skincare benefits and may irritate sensitive skin.

Pinane Carbaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance component that adds a pine-like aroma but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Pinanyl Methyl Ketone is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pine-like aroma to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Pine leaf oil adds a fresh, woodsy scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin and is primarily used for fragrance rather than active skincare benefits.

A natural essential oil that adds a fresh, woodsy scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Pine oil adds a fresh scent and mild antimicrobial benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin and may clog pores in high concentrations.

Pine twig leaf oil adds a fresh, woodsy scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin and is best used at low concentrations.

A natural essential oil that adds a fresh pine scent and may offer mild antimicrobial benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

A fragrant pine oil that adds a fresh scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin due to its essential oil content.

A fragrant pine leaf oil with limited research; may offer antimicrobial benefits but poses irritation and sensitivity risks, especially for sensitive skin.

A fragrant essential oil from a tropical pepper plant, used mainly for scent in natural skincare, but with very limited research on skin benefits.

A fragrant plant oil with limited research; best used in low concentrations for its scent rather than proven skincare benefits.

Piperitone is a natural fragrance compound with a minty, camphor-like scent, but it has limited skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Piperonyl Acetate 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.

Piperonyl Acetone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Plumeria flower oil adds a sweet floral scent and mild skin-soothing benefits, but research on its skincare effects is limited.

Ponderosa pine oil adds a fresh, woodsy scent to products but may irritate sensitive skin and has limited research on skincare benefits.

Prenyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, floral note to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Prenyl benzoate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a low irritation risk, but it offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.

Propenyl p-Cymene is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Propyl benzoate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that helps scent and stabilize products, but it offers no direct skin benefit and may be a concern for those avoiding synthetic fragrances.

Propyl Butyrate is a synthetic ester used mainly for its light, fruity scent; it is generally considered safe at low levels but offers no direct skin benefit.

Propyl Phenylacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, honey-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

A natural fragrance compound from celery seed that adds a warm, spicy scent but offers no direct skincare benefits.

A natural fragrance ingredient with potential antioxidant benefits, but limited research and a moderate risk of skin irritation.

Ravensara leaf oil adds a pleasant scent and may offer mild soothing benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient with a pleasant, sweet, clove-like scent; generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no direct skincare benefit.

Rhodinol is a natural fragrant alcohol that gives a rose-like scent, but it can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

Rhodinyl acetate adds a pleasant rose-like scent to products, but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a floral, rosy note to products; generally safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in those with fragrance allergies.

A synthetic rose-like fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefit and may irritate sensitive skin.

Rhodinyl isobutyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, rose-like scent to products; it is generally safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic rose-like fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits and may trigger sensitivities in some people.

A synthetic floral scent ingredient that is generally safe at low levels but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic floral scent ingredient that is generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A fragrant essential oil from Rocky Mountain juniper that adds a woodsy scent and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

A gentle, lightly astringent floral water that can refresh and soothe skin, but its benefits are mostly anecdotal and it may cause sensitivity in those allergic to roses.