Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A gentle, multifunctional ingredient that helps keep products fresh and your skin hydrated without irritation.

A synthetic preservative booster that helps keep products fresh but may cause irritation for sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

A synthetic preservative that helps prevent microbial growth, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

2,4-Xylenol is an effective preservative but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

An effective preservative that helps keep products fresh, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin at higher levels.

2,6-Xylenol is a synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin at higher levels.

4-Hydroxybenzoic acid is a mild antioxidant and preservative helper that is generally safe but can cause rare irritation in sensitive skin.

A synthetic preservative helper that boosts formula stability but offers no direct skin benefit.

A strong synthetic preservative that effectively fights microbes but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Allethrins are synthetic insecticides used in some personal care products for anti-parasitic purposes, but they are not common in everyday skincare and may cause irritation for sensitive individuals.

A synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

Ammonium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that helps keep products fresh, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

Ammonium Iodide is an uncommon cosmetic ingredient with limited benefits and potential skin irritation risks; most consumers can safely avoid it.

Ammonium Propionate is a mild preservative and pH adjuster that helps keep products stable and microbe-free, but it is not as widely studied as more common preservatives.

Effective preservative but can be irritating for sensitive skin or eyes; better suited for rinse-off products.

Benzalkonium Saccharinate is an effective preservative, but it may cause irritation for some, especially those with sensitive skin.

An effective preservative for rinse-off products, but can be irritating for sensitive skin or in leave-on formulas.

An effective preservative but a known allergen that can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Benzoic acid is a well-studied preservative that helps keep products fresh and stable, but it can be a mild irritant for very sensitive skin.

Benzotriazole is a synthetic UV stabilizer that helps protect product integrity but has limited direct skin benefits.

Benzoxiquine is a synthetic preservative with limited cosmetic use and safety data; it may be an alternative to more common preservatives but is not widely recommended for sensitive skin.

Benzoxonium chloride is an effective preservative but can be irritating for sensitive skin, especially in leave-on products.

Benzyl alcohol is a widely used preservative that helps prevent microbial growth, but it can be a mild irritant for very sensitive skin.

Benzylhemiformal is an effective preservative but can be a skin sensitizer, especially in leave-on products.

Benzylparaben is an effective preservative, but its safety is debated due to potential endocrine-disrupting effects, leading many brands to avoid it.

An effective preservative but can be irritating for sensitive skin; better suited for rinse-off formulas.

BHT is a well-studied synthetic preservative that keeps your products fresh, but some prefer to avoid it due to potential skin sensitivity at high levels.

Bioresmethrin is a synthetic insecticide rarely used in skincare; it may be found in anti-lice or insect repellent products but is not a typical cosmetic ingredient.

Boric acid is a mild preservative and pH adjuster, but its use is tightly regulated due to toxicity concerns at high doses.

Bromoethyl PCA is a synthetic preservative booster that helps prevent microbial growth, but its safety data is limited and it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic preservative with limited safety data; best avoided in leave-on products until more research is available.

An effective but controversial preservative that is now banned in the EU and restricted elsewhere due to potential skin irritation and nitrosamine formation.

An effective preservative but can be irritating and may release formaldehyde under certain conditions.

A common synthetic preservative that keeps oils fresh, but has raised some safety concerns at high doses.

Butylparaben is an effective preservative but has raised some safety concerns, leading to restricted use in certain regions.

Calcium benzoate is a safe, effective preservative that helps keep products fresh, but may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals at high concentrations.

Calcium Paraben is a synthetic preservative that effectively prevents spoilage but has fallen out of favor due to potential endocrine-disrupting concerns and consumer demand for paraben-free products.

Calcium Propionate is a mild preservative that helps keep products fresh, but it offers no direct skin benefit and is rarely the star ingredient in skincare.

A gentle, salt-form preservative that helps keep your products fresh without common irritation.

Calcium Undecylenate is a mild preservative and antimicrobial that helps keep products fresh, but it's not a powerhouse active ingredient.

An effective preservative with antimicrobial properties, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

A mild, effective preservative booster that helps prevent microbial growth without the harshness of traditional preservatives.

Caprylylalkonium Chloride is an effective preservative for rinse-off products, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.

Cetalkonium chloride is an effective preservative and conditioning agent, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin or eyes.

Chloramine T is an effective preservative but can be irritating for sensitive skin, especially in leave-on formulas.

Chlorhexidine is a powerful antimicrobial that can help preserve products and treat acne, but it may cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people.

An antimicrobial ingredient that helps reduce bacteria on skin, but may cause irritation for sensitive types.

Chlorine dioxide is an effective preservative but can be irritating at higher concentrations; it is not a common skincare active.

Chloroacetamide is an effective but potentially irritating preservative that has largely been replaced by gentler alternatives in modern cosmetics.

Chlorobutanol is an effective preservative but can be irritating for sensitive skin and is less common in modern formulations.

Chloroethyl PCA is a synthetic preservative booster with antimicrobial properties, but its safety data is limited and it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Chlorophene is an effective preservative but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

Chlorothymol is a synthetic preservative with mild antimicrobial power, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin at higher levels.

Chloroxylenol is an effective preservative that helps keep products safe from bacteria and fungi, but it can be irritating for some people, especially at higher concentrations.

Chlorphenesin is a widely used synthetic preservative that helps keep your skincare products fresh and safe from contamination.

Colloidal silver can help preserve products and reduce surface bacteria, but its long-term safety in skincare is debated and it is not a proven treatment for skin conditions.

Copper iodide is a niche ingredient used for color and preservation, but it has limited skincare benefits and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic preservative booster with limited safety data; best reserved for rinse-off products if used at all.

A synthetic preservative booster that helps keep products fresh and stable, generally considered safe at low concentrations.

DEDM Hydantoin is an effective preservative but may cause irritation for sensitive skin, especially at higher concentrations.