Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic azo dye used for coloring; may cause irritation in sensitive individuals and is best avoided in leave-on products for reactive skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; best avoided by those with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.

A synthetic fragrance compound that adds a fresh, citrusy scent; generally safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a creamy, coconut-like scent; generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic hair dye ingredient that can provide vibrant color but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic musk used for its pleasant, long-lasting scent; generally considered safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic scent molecule that adds a fresh, citrus note to products, but offers no skincare benefit beyond fragrance.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh, citrusy note but offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic alcohol that helps dissolve other ingredients and adds scent, but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.

A synthetic fragrance ester that adds a fruity or floral note; generally considered safe at low concentrations but offers no skincare benefit beyond scent.

A synthetic hair dye ingredient that provides color but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A gentler, more stable form of vitamin C that resists oxidation and can be used in oil-based formulas.

A gentler, more stable form of vitamin C that brightens skin and fights free radicals without the irritation of pure L-ascorbic acid.

3-Octanol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh scent to products but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

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

A synthetic alcohol used mainly as a solvent or fragrance component; generally safe at low levels but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

A gentle plant-derived antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and may support a more even tone.

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

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a pleasant aroma but offers no skincare benefits and may irritate sensitive skin at higher levels.

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

A synthetic dye ingredient used in permanent hair color; it can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals and requires careful formulation to minimize risks.

A synthetic dye used in permanent hair color; effective for color but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic dye used in hair color; generally safe in regulated amounts but can cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic hair dye ingredient that helps create long-lasting color but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A potent skin-lightening agent that can fade dark spots but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

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

A mild, sugar-based humectant that hydrates without irritation, though research on its long-term benefits is still limited.

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

4-Ethylguaiacol is a synthetic fragrance compound with mild antioxidant properties, but its main role in skincare is scent, not skin benefit.

A synthetic fatty acid with emerging antimicrobial potential, but limited research on long-term skin benefits.

A synthetic fragrance compound with a strong odor; may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

4-Ethylphenol is primarily a fragrance ingredient with limited direct skincare benefits; it may cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations.

A synthetic hair dye intermediate that can effectively deposit color but may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A newer synthetic brightener that works by slowing melanin production, but research is still emerging compared to more established options.

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

4-Hydroxybutyl acrylate is a synthetic monomer used in polymer ingredients for nail and adhesive cosmetics, but it is rarely present as a standalone ingredient in leave-on skincare.

A synthetic floral scent ingredient that is generally safe at low levels but offers no skincare benefit.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skin benefit and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant floral scent but offers no skin benefit and may be a minor sensitizer for very sensitive individuals.

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

4-Methylbenzaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that can add a cherry-almond scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic dye ingredient used in permanent hair color to create certain shades; it can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic UVB filter that is effective but controversial due to potential endocrine-disrupting effects, leading to bans in some countries.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a buttery or caramel-like aroma but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic hair dye ingredient that can provide color but may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic hair dye ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals; its safety is regulated but requires caution.

A synthetic hair dye ingredient that can provide color but may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; best avoided by those with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a floral, almond-like scent but may cause skin sensitivity in some people.

A synthetic pH adjuster that helps stabilize product formulas but offers no direct skin benefit and may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

4-Terpineol is a key active in tea tree oil that helps fight acne-causing bacteria and calm redness, but it can be irritating at high concentrations.

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

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a woody scent but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, especially at higher concentrations.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a woody scent; generally considered safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic floral fragrance ingredient that can cause skin allergies in sensitive individuals; best avoided if you have fragrance sensitivities.

A synthetic solvent and fragrance ingredient with limited safety data; best avoided in leave-on products due to potential skin irritation and environmental concerns.

A synthetic scent molecule that adds a fresh, citrus note but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A synthetic antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

A synthetic hair dye ingredient that helps create certain shades but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.