Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

SD Alcohol 38-D is a fast-drying solvent that can help other ingredients penetrate, but it may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

SD Alcohol 38-F is a fast-evaporating solvent that can help products feel lightweight but may be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

SD Alcohol 39-D is a fast-evaporating solvent that can help control oil and enhance product feel, but it may dry and irritate sensitive or dry skin.

Effective for quick-drying and oil control, but can be drying and irritating for sensitive or dry skin types.

SD Alcohol 46 helps products dry quickly and feel refreshing, but it can be drying and irritating for sensitive or dry skin types.

A fast-evaporating solvent that helps nail products apply smoothly and dry quickly, but can be drying or irritating with frequent use.

Sec-Butyl Alcohol is a synthetic solvent that helps other ingredients mix, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

T-Butyl alcohol is a synthetic solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients, but it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin.

T-Butyl Methyl Ether is a synthetic solvent with limited cosmetic use and potential skin irritation concerns.

A synthetic solvent and fragrance ingredient that helps dissolve other ingredients but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic solvent that helps other ingredients absorb deeper into skin, but may cause irritation for sensitive types.

Thiodiglycol is a synthetic solvent and humectant that helps products spread smoothly, but it may cause mild irritation for sensitive skin.

Toluene is an effective solvent for nail products but is not recommended for skincare due to irritation and inhalation risks.

Triacetin is a gentle, low-risk solvent and skin conditioner often used to improve product texture and stability.

A safe, low-irritation ingredient that helps formulas spread smoothly and keeps nail polish flexible, but offers no direct skin benefit.

Tricyclopentadiene is a synthetic solvent used in nail products and some cosmetics, but it has limited research on skin safety and is not a beneficial skincare ingredient.

Triethyl citrate is a gentle, plant-derived solvent and plasticizer that helps products spread evenly and keeps formulas stable, with a low risk of irritation.

A synthetic solvent that helps thin out thick formulas and dissolve other ingredients, generally considered safe at cosmetic levels.

A gentle synthetic ingredient that helps other ingredients dissolve and keeps skin feeling soft without clogging pores.

A synthetic helper ingredient that improves product texture and stability, but with limited independent research on skin benefits.

A synthetic solvent and emollient with limited safety data; generally considered low risk in small amounts.

Trimethylbenzene is a synthetic solvent used in tiny amounts in some cosmetics; it is not a beneficial skincare ingredient and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.