Acid found in vinegar, some fruits, and human sweat. It can be a skin irritant and drying to skin,... Read More »
Categories: Irritants
A group of organic compounds that have a vast range of forms and uses in cosmetics. In some benign... Read More »
Categories: Emollients, Irritants, Surfactants/Detergent Cleansing Agents, Absorbent
Also known as aniseed, it can have potent antioxidant and antibacterial properties (Source:... Read More »
Categories: Antioxidants, Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts, Irritants, Antibacterial/Anti-Acne
Extract derived from a fragrant plant; it poses some risk of skin irritation. It also has some... Read More »
Categories: Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts, Irritants, Plant Extracts
Mineral used as a whitening agent in cosmetics. It can be a skin irritant. Read More »
Categories: Coloring Agents/Pigments, Irritants
Used topically as a counter-irritant, which means it can cause significant skin irritation (Source:... Read More »
Categories: Plant Extracts, Irritants
Group of compounds used in cosmetics in small quantities primarily as pH adjusters (they have a pH... Read More »
Categories: Antibacterial/Anti-Acne, Irritants
Also known as sodium borate decahydrate, borax is a mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen, and... Read More »
Categories: Irritants, Preservatives
A fragrance ingredient with a strong floral scent used in many types of cosmetic products... Read More »
Categories: Irritants, Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts
See Melaleuca cajeputi oil
Preparation of zinc carbonate, colored with ferric oxide (a form of rust). Zinc carbonate is a... Read More »
Categories: Miscellaneous, Irritants
Aromatic substance obtained from the wood of a tree common to Southeast Asia, Cinnamomum camphora,... Read More »
Component of capsicum. When used topically, capsaicin can prevent the transmission of pain. It is... Read More »
Categories: Irritants, Plant Extracts
Large group of plants consisting primarily of the pepper family, including chili peppers and... Read More »
Fatty resin derived from capsicum plants. It can be a skin irritant and should not be applied to... Read More »
Essential oil used as a flavoring agent and fragrance component in cosmetics. It can be a... Read More »
Categories: Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts, Irritants
Topical antiseptic, it can cause irritation (Source: Toxicology in Vitro, August–October 2001,... Read More »
See feverfew extract
See cinnamon
Categories: Irritants, Antioxidants, Plant Extracts, Antibacterial/Anti-Acne
See camphor
Can have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties (Sources: Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, March... Read More »
Categories: Plant Extracts, Antibacterial/Anti-Acne, Antioxidants, Irritants
Bitter apple; considered a skin irritant. Read More »
See orange blossom
Categories: Irritants, Plant Extracts, Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts
See lime (oil or extract)
Categories: Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts, Plant Extracts, Irritants
Categories: Plant Extracts, Irritants, Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts
Paula Begoun is the best-selling author of 20 books on skin care and makeup. She is known worldwide as the Cosmetics Cop and creator of Paula's Choice. Paula's expertise has led to hundreds of appearances on national and international TV including:
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