Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a floral note but offers no skincare benefit; generally well-tolerated but may irritate sensitive skin.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm amber note to products, but may cause sensitivity in those with fragrance allergies.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh, woody note but may irritate sensitive skin at higher levels.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that can give a fresh, cooling feel but may irritate sensitive skin.

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

A natural fragrance component that gives a fresh, woody scent but offers no direct skincare benefits.

A fragrance ingredient with a camphor-like scent; generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

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

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

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

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that makes products smell pleasant but offers no skin benefit and may cause sensitivity in some people.

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

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

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

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.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent to products; generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

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

A natural fragrance compound that adds a woody, camphor scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive 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 fragrance ingredient that adds a woody, warm scent; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note to products, but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh note but may irritate sensitive skin.

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

A synthetic peach-scented fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant aroma but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

Tuberose flower oil adds a luxurious floral scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin and has limited research on skin benefits beyond fragrance.

Undecanal is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh citrus note but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

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

Valencene is a natural citrus-derived fragrance ingredient with mild antioxidant potential, but its main role in skincare is scent rather than active treatment.

Valencia orange peel oil adds a bright citrus scent and mild astringency, but can be irritating for sensitive skin, especially in sunlight.

Valeraldehyde is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fruity scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

Valeric acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid used mainly for its scent and to adjust product pH, but it can be irritating at higher concentrations.

Vanilla Fruit Oil adds a warm, comforting scent and mild antioxidant benefits to skincare, but its fragrance components can irritate sensitive skin.

Vanillin adds a warm vanilla scent to skincare and has mild antioxidant activity, but it is primarily a fragrance ingredient with limited skin benefits.

A synthetic vanilla-like fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skin benefit; generally safe at low levels but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Veratraldehyde is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, vanilla-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Veratrole is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, woody scent but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Verbena leaf absolute adds a fresh lemon-like scent to skincare, but its strong fragrance can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Verbena leaf oil adds a pleasant citrus scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin and has limited skincare research.

Verdyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, woody scent; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

Vetiver root oil adds a warm, earthy fragrance to products and may offer mild soothing benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Vetiverol is a natural, soothing fragrance ingredient with antioxidant benefits, generally safe for most skin types.

A pleasant, woody-scented fragrance ingredient that is generally well-tolerated but offers no direct skin benefit beyond scent.

A fragrant essential oil with some antimicrobial potential, but limited research on skin benefits and a moderate risk of irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic floral fragrance that is a common allergen; many brands have phased it out due to safety concerns.

Virginian Juniper Oil can help balance oily skin and fight acne-causing bacteria, but its strong fragrance and potential for irritation mean it's best for those without sensitive skin.

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

Water mint leaf oil adds a fresh, herbal scent and mild skin-conditioning benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin due to its essential oil content.

Water mint oil adds a fresh scent and mild antimicrobial benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin at high concentrations.

A fragrant tree oil with some antimicrobial potential, but limited research and a moderate risk of skin irritation mean it's best used in low concentrations and avoided by sensitive skin.

A fragrant wood oil with some antimicrobial potential, but limited research on skin benefits and a moderate risk of irritation for sensitive skin.