Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A fragrant leaf oil from the ginger family that adds a pleasant scent to products, but with limited research on skin benefits and potential for irritation in sensitive individuals.

A fragrant essential oil from shell ginger leaves that adds a pleasant scent to products, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A fragrant plant oil with limited research; may offer mild skin benefits but poses a risk of irritation for sensitive skin.

A fragrant leaf oil with mild antioxidant potential, best suited for those who enjoy botanical scents and have no sensitivity to essential oils.

Ambergris extract is a historical fragrance fixative with limited modern cosmetic use due to ethical and sustainability concerns.

A historic perfume fixative with a unique scent profile, but its use is now rare due to ethical and legal restrictions.

Ambrein is a rare, natural fragrance fixative with mild skin-conditioning benefits, but its use is limited by ethical and sustainability concerns.

A synthetic musk that adds a pleasant, long-lasting scent to products with a very low risk of irritation.

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

American Basil Oil adds a fresh herbal scent to products, but its benefits are mostly aromatic and it may irritate sensitive skin.

Amyl acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a fruity scent; it can be irritating for sensitive skin in high concentrations.

Amyl benzoate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products, but it offers no direct skin benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Amyl Butyrate adds a sweet, fruity scent to products but offers no skincare benefits; it's generally safe at low levels but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A common synthetic fragrance allergen that can cause skin reactions in sensitive individuals, but is generally safe for most people at low concentrations.

Amyl Cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, floral scent but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

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

Amyl ethyl ketone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, spicy scent but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Amyl formate 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.

Amyl Hexanoate is a safe, fruity-smelling synthetic ester used to add a pleasant apple-like scent to cosmetics, with a low risk of irritation for most people.

Amyl isobutyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, sweet scent but offers no skincare benefits.

Amyl Isovalerate is a synthetic fragrance ester that adds a fruity, apple-like scent to products, but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

Amyl Propionate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, apple-like scent, but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in those with fragrance allergies.

Amyl Salicylate 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.

A synthetic floral scent ingredient that may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

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

A common synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral scent but is a known allergen for some people, especially those with sensitive skin.

Amylcinnamyl alcohol is a common synthetic fragrance that adds a sweet floral scent, but it is a known allergen that may cause skin reactions in sensitive individuals.

Amylcyclopentanone is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant floral-fruity note, but it offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in those with fragrance allergies.

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

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

Amylisoeugenol is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a warm, spicy scent but may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Amylvinyl carbinol is a natural mushroom-derived alcohol used mainly for scent, with some early research suggesting mild antimicrobial benefits, but it can be a skin sensitizer for some.

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

A natural essential oil with a warm, woody scent that may offer mild skin-soothing benefits, but can cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Androstadienone is a synthetic pheromone-like compound used in some fragrances, but its effects on human behavior are subtle and not well-established in cosmetics.

Anethole adds a sweet, licorice-like scent to products but can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Angelica Leaf Oil adds a fresh, herbal scent to products but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals; use with caution.

Angelica Root Oil adds a pleasant herbal scent to products, but its skin benefits are not well-studied and it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Aniba Ferrea Wood Oil adds a pleasant woody scent to products but has limited research on skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A fragrant essential oil with a pleasant woody scent and some skin-soothing potential, but it carries a moderate risk of skin irritation and raises sustainability concerns.

A fragrant wood extract with mild soothing potential, but its use is limited by sustainability concerns and a moderate risk of skin irritation for sensitive individuals.

A fragrant essential oil with skin-conditioning benefits, but potential for irritation in sensitive individuals.

A fragrant essential oil with a warm, woody scent that can add a pleasant aroma to skincare but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Anisaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance compound with a sweet, floral scent; it is generally safe at low concentrations but can be a skin sensitizer for some individuals.

Anise alcohol is a natural fragrance compound that can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Anisole is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, anise-like scent; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefit.

Anisyl acetate is a pleasant-smelling fragrance ingredient that is generally well-tolerated, but like all fragrance components, it can be a potential allergen for sensitive individuals.

A fragrant botanical oil with potential soothing benefits, but limited research and a moderate risk of skin irritation for sensitive individuals.

A fragrant essential oil with a unique scent, but limited research on skincare benefits and a moderate risk of irritation for sensitive skin.

A fragrant botanical oil that adds a unique scent to products but has limited research on direct skincare benefits and may irritate sensitive skin.

Asafoetida gum oil may offer antimicrobial benefits, but its strong scent and potential for skin irritation limit its use in mainstream skincare.

A fragrant wood extract that adds a warm, woody scent and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Atlas cedarwood bark oil adds a warm, woody scent and may offer mild soothing benefits, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Australian Sandalwood Oil offers a gentle, woody fragrance with mild soothing and antioxidant benefits, but it's primarily used for scent in skincare.

Bael Leaf Oil is a fragrant essential oil with traditional uses, but its benefits in modern skincare are not well-studied and it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A fragrant essential oil that adds a fresh, woodsy scent to products but may irritate sensitive skin.

A natural fragrance ingredient with a warm, sweet scent, but it's a common allergen and may irritate sensitive skin.

Balsam of Peru is a natural fragrance ingredient with a warm, sweet scent, but it's also a common allergen that can cause skin reactions in sensitive individuals.

Balsam Peru Oil adds a warm, sweet scent to products but is a known allergen for some people, so patch testing is wise.