Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant note to products but offers no skincare benefit and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.

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

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

A gentle silicone that improves product feel and spreadability with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.

A gentle synthetic emollient that improves product feel and spreadability without common irritation.

A synthetic musk-like fragrance that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skincare benefits.

Cyclohexane is a fast-evaporating solvent that helps dissolve oils and makeup, but it can be drying and potentially irritating for sensitive skin.

A synthetic solvent that helps products spread and dry evenly, but offers no direct skin benefit.

A mild synthetic acid that helps balance product pH and gently exfoliates, but research on its long-term skin benefits is limited.

A synthetic helper that keeps your products fresh and effective by neutralizing troublesome metal ions.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that gives a silky, non-greasy feel to skincare products with low irritation potential.

A synthetic soothing ingredient that helps reduce visible redness and stinging, making it a good option for sensitive skin.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, ideal for oily or combination skin types.

Cyclohexanol is a synthetic solvent used in small amounts; it has moderate irritation potential and is not a beneficial skincare ingredient.

Cyclohexanone is a strong solvent with significant irritation and safety concerns; it is rarely used in leave-on skincare and is best avoided in daily products.

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

A lightweight silicone that creates a smooth, silky feel on skin and hair without clogging pores.

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

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant aroma but offers no skincare benefits; safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some.

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

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

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

Cyclohexyl Butyrate 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.

Cyclohexyl Crotonate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a pleasant floral note, but offers no skincare benefit and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic soothing ingredient that helps calm redness and irritation without being greasy or heavy.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products stay put and resist water, but offers no active skincare benefit.

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

A synthetic film-former that helps products feel smooth and last longer, but with limited published safety data.

Cyclohexyl Toluate is a synthetic ester that helps dissolve other ingredients and leaves a light, non-greasy feel on skin.

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

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, woody scent; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant aroma but offers no skincare benefit; safe for most but may cause sensitivity in those with fragrance allergies.

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

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

A gentle, synthetic humectant that hydrates skin and helps preserve formulas, making it a popular alternative to parabens.

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

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is limited to certain regions due to regulatory differences.

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

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

A synthetic peptide that signals skin to produce more collagen, helping reduce fine lines and improve firmness with low irritation risk.

A lightweight, volatile silicone that provides a silky feel and helps other ingredients spread evenly, but its environmental persistence raises concerns.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh scent but offers no skincare benefits and may be a concern for those sensitive to fragrance.

A lightweight synthetic emollient that helps products glide on smoothly without a greasy feel, but research on long-term skin benefits is still limited.

Cyclopentadecanone is a synthetic musk fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products but offers no direct skincare benefits.

Cyclopentadecenone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a musky scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.

Cyclopentanone is a synthetic solvent with limited direct skincare benefits; it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals and is best avoided in leave-on products.

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

A common silicone that makes products feel silky and spread easily, but its environmental persistence has raised concerns.

A synthetic compound that may help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, but research is still early.

A gentle silicone that improves product texture and feel without clogging pores, though it offers no active skincare benefits.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that helps soothe and protect skin from environmental stress.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich botanical extract that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may calm irritation.

A potent eyelash growth ingredient that works but can cause irritation and darkening of the eyelid skin or iris.

A potent lash growth ingredient that works but carries risks of irritation and potential side effects.

Cyclotene is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a sweet, caramel-like scent to products; it is generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefits.