Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

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

Bursera Wood Oil adds a woody, balsamic scent to products but has limited research on skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

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

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a warm, woody scent; generally considered safe at low levels but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic ester that adds a fruity, apple-like scent to products; generally considered safe at low levels used in cosmetics.

Butyl Angelate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a low risk of irritation, but it offers no skincare benefits beyond scent.

Butyl benzyl phthalate is a synthetic plasticizer with endocrine-disrupting potential; it is rarely used in modern skincare and is best avoided.

Butyl Butyrate is a synthetic ester that adds a fruity, sweet scent to products, but it offers no direct skin benefit and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Butyl Cinnamaldehyde is a common synthetic fragrance ingredient that can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Butyl Cinnamate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with mild UV-absorbing ability, generally considered safe in low concentrations but best avoided by those with fragrance sensitivities.

Butyl Formate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity, sweet scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

Butyl Isobutyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fruity scent but offers no skincare benefits; it is generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Butyl 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.

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

A synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Butyl Phenethyl Ether is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Butyl Phenylacetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, floral scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.

Butyl Salicylate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that can add a pleasant scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Butyl Tiglate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, fruity note to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a sweet floral note but offers no skincare benefits.

Butyloxepanone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefits; it's generally safe at low levels but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Butylquinoline is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a distinctive leathery scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Butyraldehyde is a synthetic fragrance compound that adds a distinctive scent but can be a skin irritant for sensitive individuals.

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

Butyrophenone 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.

Cabreuva Wood Oil adds a warm, woody scent to products and may offer mild soothing benefits, but its fragrance components can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Cadinene is a natural fragrance component with some antioxidant potential, but its benefits in skincare are not well-established and it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Calamus root oil adds a warm, spicy scent to products but has limited research on skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A fragrant essential oil with emerging antimicrobial research, best used in low concentrations due to potential skin irritation.

A natural fragrance and skin-conditioning ingredient from camellia flowers, but its scent can be sensitizing for some.

Camphene is a natural scent compound found in many essential oils; it adds a fresh, pine-like aroma but can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher levels.

A fragrant essential oil with limited research on skincare benefits; best used in low concentrations and with caution for sensitive skin.

A fragrant root oil with traditional soothing uses, but can be irritating for sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.

Camphor wood oil offers a cooling, soothing sensation but can be irritating for sensitive skin and is best used in low concentrations.

Camphylcyclohexanol is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a woody, pine-like aroma, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some people.

Cananga leaf oil adds a pleasant floral scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.

A fragrant tree resin oil with some skin-soothing potential, but its strong scent and moderate irritation risk mean it's best for those without sensitive skin.

A fragrant botanical oil with mild soothing and purifying benefits, best for normal to dry skin types and those who enjoy natural scents.

Caproic acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid used mainly for scent and mild cleansing, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher levels.

Caraway fruit oil offers antimicrobial benefits and a warm, herbal scent, but its strong essential oil nature means it can irritate sensitive skin if used undiluted.

Cardamom seed oil adds a warm, spicy scent and offers antioxidant benefits, but its essential oil nature means it can be irritating for sensitive skin.

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

Carnation Flower Oil adds a pleasant floral scent to products but has limited proven skincare benefits and may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Carvone adds a minty scent to products but can be a skin sensitizer for some people, especially at higher concentrations.

Caryophyllene alcohol is a natural plant compound that adds a subtle woody scent and may offer mild soothing benefits, but it's mainly used as a fragrance ingredient.

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

Cassia leaf oil is a strong, fragrant essential oil with antimicrobial potential, but it is a common skin irritant and allergen, so it is best avoided in leave-on products for sensitive skin.

Castoreum oil is a rare, animal-derived fragrance ingredient with a distinctive leathery scent, but it's seldom used in modern skincare due to ethical and allergen concerns.

Cedrela Wood Oil adds a warm, woody scent to products but has limited research on skin benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Cedrene is a natural fragrance compound from cedarwood with mild antimicrobial potential, but its primary role in skincare is scent, not active treatment.

Cedrenol is a natural cedarwood-derived ingredient that adds a woody scent and may offer mild soothing benefits, but its fragrance can be irritating for sensitive skin.

Cedrenone is a natural fragrance component that adds a warm, woody scent but offers no direct skincare benefits.

A woody, cedar-like fragrance ingredient that is generally safe at low concentrations but may cause skin sensitivity in some individuals.

Cedrol is a natural fragrance ingredient from cedarwood with some preliminary soothing potential, but it can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

Cedrol Methyl Ether is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a warm, woody scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

Cedryl Acetate is a widely used fragrance ingredient with a low irritation risk, but it may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

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

Celeriac leaf oil adds a natural scent and antioxidant boost to skincare, but its fragrance components may irritate sensitive skin.

Celery Leaf Oil offers antioxidant benefits and a fresh herbal scent, but its essential oil nature means it can be irritating for sensitive skin.