Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

A synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; best for those who tolerate added scents.

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

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits; safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

A synthetic musk-like fragrance ingredient that is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefit beyond scent.

A common synthetic musk fragrance that adds a warm, sweet scent but has raised some environmental and allergen concerns.

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

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient and fragrance ingredient derived from amyris oil, offering a subtle woody scent with good skin tolerance.

A modified wood extract used mainly for scent and mild skin conditioning, but research is limited.

A gentle, aromatic ingredient from lavandin that may offer mild soothing benefits, but its acetylation process alters its properties and safety profile.

A modified lavender extract that offers a gentle scent and potential soothing benefits, but research on the acetylated version is limited.

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

Acetylbenzofuran is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals and is best avoided in leave-on products for reactive skin.

Acetylcedrene is a synthetic woody fragrance ingredient that is generally safe at low concentrations but may cause skin sensitivity in some individuals.

A fragrant flower oil with antioxidant potential, but limited research and a risk of skin irritation for sensitive types.

A fragrant essential oil with limited research on skincare benefits; best used in low concentrations due to potential irritation.

A fragrant wood oil with limited research; best for those who enjoy natural scents but may irritate sensitive skin.

A fragrant leaf oil that adds a warm, spicy scent to products but has limited research on direct skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A rare, luxurious fragrance oil with a distinctive woody scent, but limited research on skincare benefits and potential for skin irritation.

A fragrant flower oil that adds a pleasant scent to products, with limited research on skin benefits.

Agonis Fragrans Oil adds a pleasant botanical scent to products, but its skincare benefits are not well-studied, and it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A fragrant essential oil with some antimicrobial potential, but may cause irritation in sensitive skin and lacks strong research for cosmetic benefits.

Allergenic fragrances are common skin sensitizers that can cause irritation and allergic reactions, especially in those with sensitive skin or eczema.

Allo-Ocimenol is a natural fragrance compound that adds a pleasant scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

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

Allyl Butyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, pineapple-like scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Allyl Caproate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, pineapple-like scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Allyl Cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, balsamic scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

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

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

Allyl heptanoate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, pineapple-like scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a violet note to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Allyl Isovalerate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, apple-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

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

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a fruity scent to products but offers no skin benefit and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Allyl phenethyl ether is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a sweet floral note to products, but it may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Allyl phenoxyacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, fruity note to products but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

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

Allyl Propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity note to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skin benefit beyond scent.

Allyl Trimethylhexanoate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, floral scent to products, but offers no skincare benefits.

Allylanisole adds a sweet, licorice-like scent to products but can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, spicy scent but may cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Alpha-Cedrene is a natural fragrance ingredient from cedarwood with early research suggesting antioxidant and soothing benefits, but it's primarily used for scent.

Alpha-Damascone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a rose-like scent to products but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Alpha-Ethoxyphenetole is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited published safety data, but it is generally considered safe at the low levels used in cosmetics.

Alpha-Ionone adds a floral violet scent to products but can be a skin sensitizer for some individuals.

Alpha-Ionyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A common synthetic floral scent that is generally safe but may trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic scent ingredient that gives a floral violet note, but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

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

Alpha-phellandrene is a fragrant plant compound with some antioxidant potential, but its main role in skincare is as a scent ingredient, and it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alpha-Pinanol is a natural fragrance ingredient with mild antimicrobial properties, but it may cause irritation in sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Alpha-santalol is the primary fragrant component of sandalwood oil, offering a subtle woody scent and potential soothing benefits, but it must be used at low concentrations to minimize the risk of skin irritation.

Alpha-Terpinene is a fragrant plant compound with antioxidant benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.

Alpha-Terpinyl Acetate is a natural fragrance compound that adds a pleasant scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alpine Holy Grass Oil adds a natural, sweet scent to products and may offer mild soothing benefits, but research is limited.