babassu oil

Babassu oil comes from the seed of the Orbignya oleifera plant, which is native to Brazil.

bakuchiol

An antioxidant found in the seeds and leaves of the plant Psoralea corylifolia...

balm mint extract

Extract derived from a fragrant plant; it poses some risk of causing skin sensitivity…

balsam peru

Fatty resin that when applied topically can cause skin sensitivity…

Bambusa vulgaris (bamboo) leaf/stem extract

Extract from the common bamboo plant. Like many plant extracts, research has shown...

banana extract

Extract from banana fruit that has some weak antioxidant properties (Source: Free Radical Research,...

barberry

Plant whose primary component, berberine, is an alkaloid that can have soothing properties and...

barium sulfate

Barium sulfate is an inorganic salt that occurs in nature.

barley extract

Extract from barley plants. Can have antioxidant properties when ingested, but there is no research...

batyl alcohol

A non-drying fatty alcohol used as a stabilizing and skin-conditioning ingredient in skin care products. It is derived from glycerin.

bay leaf oil

Has the potential to provide antioxidant benefits for skin…

bearberry extract

Latin name Arctostaphylos uva ursi, there is research showing that this extract has soothing...

bee pollen

Can have antioxidant properties (Source: Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, April 2001, pages...

beeswax

Substance made by bees to build the walls of their honeycomb. It is a thickening agent that has...

beet root extract

Powdered base of the stem (root) of the Beta vulgaris plant. Used as a coloring agent. As with most...

beheneth-5

A derivative of polyethylene glycol and non-drying behenyl alcohol that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant in skin care products. It can be synthetic or plant-derived.

behenic acid

A fatty acid that is used as a thickener, cleansing agent, and opacifier in cosmetics.

behentrimonium chloride

A synthetic or plant-derived skin- and hair-conditioning agent and emulsifier.

behenyl alcohol

Thickening agent used in cosmetics. It is not related to irritating forms of alcohol.

behenyl behenate

Behenyl behenate is the wax-like ester of the fatty acid behenic acid and fatty alcohol behenyl alcohol.

Bellis perennis

bentonite

Type of clay that is used as an absorbent in cosmetics. It can be drying for skin, though its...

benzalkonium chloride

Used as a preservative in skincare products. There is no research showing it...

benzephenone-3

Also called oxybenzone, a sunscreen agent that protects skin primarily from the sun’s UVB rays and...

benzoic acid

Preservative used in skincare products; it is considered less sensitizing than some other forms of...

benzoin extract

Balsam resin that has some fragrant properties; it may also be sensitizing to skin…

benzophenone

Group of compounds used in cosmetics as sunscreen agents to protect mostly from UVB radiation and...

benzothonium chloride

Compound used as a preservative in cosmetics. It is generally considered less sensitizing…

benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is considered the most effective over-the-counter topical acne treatment. Learn more.

benzyl alcohol

An organic alcohol that occurs naturally in some fruits (apricots, cranberries) and teas.

benzyl salicylate

A volatile fragrance chemical with a sweet, floral odor used to impart scent to cosmetic products and perfumes.

Berberis aristata

bergamot oil

A volatile citrus oil that, when used topically, is a photosensitizer...

Bertholletia excelsa extract

beta-carotene

Member of the carotenoid family. There are hundreds of carotenoids, including lycopene and lutein....

beta-glucan

Polysaccharide sugar derived from yeast or oats. It has some antioxidant properties and is a skin-soothing agent.

beta hydroxy acid

betaine

Betaine is an ingredient that works to balance skin’s hydration.

betaine salicylate

An ingredient derived from sugar beets that is sometimes used as an alternative to...

beta-sitosterol

Beta-sitosterol is a fatty acid-type ingredient derived from plants, and is similar to cholesterol...

Beta vulgaris root extract

Betula alba

Betula alba (birch) juice

Betula alba juice is the sap from the birch tree.

BHA (beta hydroxy acid)

BHA, or beta hydroxy acid, is more commonly known as salicylic acid.

BHT

Butylated hydroxytoluene, a potent synthetic antioxidant that also has negative properties when...

bifida ferment lysate

Bifida ferment lysate is a probiotic ingredient derived from a specific type of yeast obtained by the fermentation of Bifida bacteria.

bilberry extract

Some research shows bilberry (vaccinium myrtillis) to be effective as an antioxidant when ingested...

bioflavonoid

Diverse range of substances that are components of many fruits and vegetables. Many have been shown...

biotin

A water-soluble substance produced in the body by certain types of...

biotin/folic acid/cyanocobalamin/niacinamide/pantothenic acid/pyridoxine/riboflavin/thiamine/yeast polypeptides

A blend of several B vitamins plus peptides derived from a strain of lab-produced yeast.

birch bark extract

Extract derived from the plant Betula alba (common name white birch). It can have potent...

birch leaf extract

bisabolol

Can be extracted from chamomile or derived synthetically. It is an anti-irritant.

bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate

A synthetic ingredient used in skin care products that enhances texture and has emollient properties.

bismuth oxychloride

Also known as synthetic pearl, it’s the primary ingredient included in most powders that are referred to as...

bis-PEG-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane

A synthetic wax-like skin conditioning agent and surfactant belonging to the chemical class of siloxanes and silicones.

bis-phenylpropyl dimethicone

A synthetic, silicone-based polymer that functions as an emollient, texture enhancer, and conditioning agent in haircare and skin care products.

bitter orange flower

blackberry

Berries that have antioxidant properties...

black cohosh

There is no research showing that black cohosh can have this or any effect…

black currant oil

Non-volatile plant oil.

black elderberry

When taken orally, this has antioxidant properties (Source: Journal of Agricultural Food...

black locust extract

Extract that can have antioxidant properties, although it also may have harmful...

black mulberry

Due to its arbutin content, this extract can have some value in improving the look of discolorations....

black pepper extract and oil

It can cause significant skin sensitivity...

black raspberry

Fruit that has antioxidant properties...

black tea

bladderwrack extract

Extract derived from seaweed; it can be an effective antioxidant and has water-binding properties...

bloodwort

Also known as yarrow.

blue 1

blue 1 lake

A water-insoluble pigment used in cosmetics. It is also used as a food coloring and made from combining an organic pigment with one or more minerals.

Boerhavia diffusa root extract

Extract from a flowering plant. Animal studies have shown that this plant has strong...

bois de rose oil

bois oil

Fragrant oil that has no research showing it has benefit for skin (Source: www.naturaldatabase.com).

borage seed extract

Extract of the plant Borago officinalis, it can have skni-soothing properties...

borage seed oil

Non-fragrant plant oil that contains gamma linolenic acid and other essential fatty acids for skin.

Borago officinalis extract

Borago officinalis seed oil

borate

Group of compounds used in cosmetics in small quantities primarily as pH adjusters (they have a pH...

borax

Also known as sodium borate decahydrate, borax is a mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen, and...

boric acid

May have skin soothing and restoring benefits…

boron nitride

A synthetic compound that adds slip, enhances texture, and can also thicken certain formulas.

Boswellia carterii

Boswellia serrata extract

An extract from the gum resin of a tree and also a source of Indian frankincense, this plant extract has both positive and negative qualities for skin.

botanicals

General term for a large group of natural ingredients. Botanicals may or may not be organic, and...

boysenberry

Berry that can have potent antioxidant properties (Source: Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry,...

Brassica campestris

Brazil nut extract

Extract for which there is a small amount of research showing it can have antioxidant properties...

broad spectrum

Term that, when applied to sunscreen, refers to a sunscreen’s ability to protect the skin from both...

bromelain

Bromelain is an extract from the pineapple that contains, among other components, various...

bronopol

Technical name 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, a formaldehyde-releasing preservative (Source:...

bronze powder

Mineral coloring agent derived from copper. Permanently listed (since 1977) by the FDA as a safe...

Buddleja davidii extract

Plant also known as summer lilac or butterfly bush (because the flowers are a food source for...

bumetrizole

Sunscreen ingredient that absorbs primarily UVB light.

Bupleurum falcatum extract

A plant used in Chinese medicine for a varitety of ailments ranging from the common cold to liver...

burdock root

Plant extract whose active constituents are skin soothing and antioxidant…

butyl acetate

Solvent used in nail polish and many other products.

butylene glycol

Commonly-used ingredient that has multiple functions in cosmetics, including....

butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane

butylparaben

Parabens are a group of controversial preservatives that include butylparaben...

butylphenyl methylpropional

Synthetic fragrance ingredient with a strong floral scent.

Butyrospermum fruit

Fruit from the karite tree, scientific name Butyrospermum parkii, from which the fat is obtained to...

Butyrospermum parkii

Butyrosperum parkii (shea) butter extract

Butyrosperum parkii (shea) butter extract doesn’t just have a rich texture; it’s also a rich source of antioxidants and replenishing antioxidants.

Buxus chinensis