Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 60 of 1,749
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Fragrance

Tolualdehyde Isomers

TOLUALDEHYDE ISOMERS

3.5

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a sweet, almond-like scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance

Tonkin Styrax Resin Oil

STYRAX TONKINENSIS RESIN OIL

3.8

A natural resin oil that adds a warm, vanilla-like scent to products and may offer mild soothing benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

natural

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-2-Hexenyl Butyrate

TRANS-2-HEXENYL BUTYRATE

3.5

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a green, fruity scent but offers no skin benefit beyond fragrance.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance ingredient

Trans-2-Hexenyl Hexanoate

TRANS-2-HEXENYL HEXANOATE

3.5

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a fruity, green note to products; generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-2-Hexenyl Isovalerate

TRANS-2-HEXENYL ISOVALERATE

3.5

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a green, fruity scent to products; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-2-Hexenyl Phenylacetate

TRANS-2-HEXENYL PHENYLACETATE

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-2-Hexenyl Propionate

TRANS-2-HEXENYL PROPIONATE

3.5

Trans-2-Hexenyl Propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a green, fruity scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-2-Hexenyl Valerate

TRANS-2-HEXENYL VALERATE

3.5

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a green, fruity scent; generally safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefit.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-2-Methyl-4-Propyl-1,3-Oxathiane

TRANS-2-METHYL-4-PROPYL-1,3-OXATHIANE

3.5

A synthetic scent molecule that adds a tropical note to products, but offers no skincare benefit and may irritate sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-2-Nonenal

TRANS-2-NONENAL

2.0

Trans-2-Nonenal is a scent compound linked to an 'aging' body odor; it is rarely used in skincare for its own benefit and is more often a byproduct or a fragrance note.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-2-Octenal

TRANS-2-OCTENAL

3.5

Trans-2-Octenal is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh, green scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance

Trans-2-Phenylpropenyl Acetate

TRANS-2-PHENYLPROPENYL ACETATE

3.5

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a sweet, floral note to products; generally safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance

Trans-2-Undecenal

TRANS-2-UNDECENAL

3.5

Trans-2-Undecenal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy note to products, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-3-Heptenyl Acetate

TRANS-3-HEPTENYL ACETATE

3.5

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, green note to products but offers no skincare benefit and may trigger sensitivity in some people.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-3-Hexenyl Isobutyrate

TRANS-3-HEXENYL ISOBUTYRATE

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-3-Methyl-5-Phenyl-2-Pentenenitrile

TRANS-3-METHYL-5-PHENYL-2-PENTENENITRILE

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance

Trans-5-Octenone

TRANS-5-OCTENONE

3.5

Trans-5-Octenone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-Dihydropseudoionyl Acetate

TRANS-DIHYDROPSEUDOIONYL ACETATE

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance

Trans-Isoocimenol

TRANS-ISOOCIMENOL

3.5

Trans-Isoocimenol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, green scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-Methoxy Dimethyloctadiene

TRANS-METHOXY-DIMETHYLOCTADIENE

3.5

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh note but offers no skincare benefit; safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some people.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-Methylbutenyl Tiglate

TRANS-METHYLBUTENYL TIGLATE

3.8

A synthetic scent molecule that adds a tea-like note to products; generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-Octahydronaphthalenone

TRANS-OCTAHYDRONAPHTHALENONE

3.5

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note to products but offers no skincare benefit and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
Read ingredient review

Fragrance

Trans-Rose Ketone-2

TRANS-ROSE KETONE-2

3.5

Trans-Rose Ketone-2 is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a rose-like scent, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
Read ingredient review

Fragrance

Trans-Rose Ketone-3

TRANS-ROSE KETONE-3

3.5

A synthetic rose-scented fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral note but offers no skincare benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-Rose Ketone-5

Trans-Rose Ketone-5

3.5

Trans-Rose Ketone-5 is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a rosy scent to products, but it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-Trimethyldodecatetraenal

TRANS-TRIMETHYLDODECATETRAENAL

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trans-Trimethylundecadienal

TRANS-TRIMETHYLUNDECADIENAL

3.5

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh floral note but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those sensitive to fragrance.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
Read ingredient review

Fragrance

Trans-Trimethylundecadienol

TRANS-TRIMETHYLUNDECADIENOL

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trichloromethyl Phenyl Carbinyl Acetate

TRICHLOROMETHYL PHENYL CARBINYL ACETATE

3.5

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

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Tricyclodecanone

TRICYCLODECANE-8-ONE

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
Read ingredient review

Fragrance ingredient

Tricyclodecenyl Propionate

TRICYCLODECENYL PROPIONATE

3.8

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant fragrance but offers no skincare benefit; safe for most people but may cause reactions in those sensitive to fragrance.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Tricyclodecylidene Butanal

TRICYCLODECYLIDENE BUTANAL

3.5

A synthetic fragrance compound that provides a pleasant woody-floral scent, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Tridec-2-enenitrile

TRIDEC-2-ENENITRILE

3.5

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy scent; generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance

Tridecan-2-One

TRIDECAN-2-ONE

3.5

Tridecan-2-One is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a low irritation risk, but it offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
Read ingredient review

Fragrance

Tridecanal

TRIDECANAL

3.5

Tridecanal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy note to products, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
Read ingredient review

Fragrance Ingredient

Tridecenal

TRIDECENAL

3.5

Tridecenal is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh, citrus scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethoxy-2-Vinyltetrahydropyran

TRIMETHOXY-2-VINYLTETRAHYDROPYRAN

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
Read ingredient review

Fragrance

Trimethyl Cyclohexadienyl Butanone

TRIMETHYL-1,3-CYCLOHEXADIENYLBUTAN-2-ONE

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Cyclohexene Methanethiol

TRIMETHYL-3-CYCLOHEXENE-1-METHANETHIOL

3.5

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

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Cyclohexenol

TRIMETHYL-2-CYCLOHEXENOL

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Cyclohexenyl Acrylonitrile

TRIMETHYL-1-CYCLOHEXENYLACRYLONITRILE

3.5

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh note but offers no skincare benefit and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Cyclohexenyl Butanone

TRIMETHYL-1-CYCLOHEXENYLBUTAN-2-ONE

3.8

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
Read ingredient review

Fragrance

Trimethyl Cyclohexenyl Butenone

TRIMETHYL-3-CYCLOHEXENYL-3-BUTEN-2-ONE

3.5

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

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Cyclohexenylethanone

1-Trimethyl-3-Cyclohexenylethanone

3.5

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

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Cyclopentene Acetaldehyde

D-TRIMETHYL-3-CYCLOPENTENE-1-ACETALDEHYDE

3.5

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

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance

Trimethyl Cyclopentenyl Acetonitrile

TRIMETHYL-3-CYCLOPENTENYLACETONITRILE

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
Read ingredient review

Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Decadienal

TRIMETHYL-4,9-DECADIENAL

3.5

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh citrus note but offers no skincare benefit and may be a concern for fragrance-sensitive individuals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Decadienone

Trimethyl-5,7-Decadien-2-One

3.5

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh note but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Decene Dione

TRIMETHYL-2-DECENE-6,8-DIONE

3.5

Trimethyl Decene Dione is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Hydroxymethyl Cyclohexanol

Trimethyl Hydroxymethyl Cyclohexanol

3.5

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, cooling scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Hydroxypentyl Isobutyrate

Trimethyl Hydroxypentyl Isobutyrate

3.5

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, green note to products but offers no skincare benefit and may be unnecessary for sensitive noses.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Methylenecyclohexanepropanol

Trimethyl-6-methylenecyclohexanepropanol

3.5

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a woody or floral note; generally considered safe at low levels but offers no skincare benefit.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Oxabicycloheptyl Butenone

TRIMETHYL-7-OXABICYCLOHEPTYL)-3-BUTEN-2-ONE

3.5

A synthetic scent ingredient that can make products smell pleasant but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Pentyl Dioxane

TRIMETHYL-PENTYL-DIOXANE

3.5

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh note but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some people.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl Propylcyclohexanepropanol

Trimethylpropylcyclohexanepropanol

3.5

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

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl-3-Nonenol

Trimethyl-3-Nonenol

3.5

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant note but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
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Fragrance Ingredient

Trimethyl-6-Thiabicyclooctane

TRIMETHYL-6-THIABICYCLOOCTANE

3.5

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

Irritation

moderate

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarefragrance
Read ingredient review