Ingredient guide

What the most common ingredients in skincare, makeup and hair products do, the rules in the US, EU and UK, Canada and Australia, and where the facts come from. Written by Clovi and checked against the sources on each page.

• 1 2 HexanediolThe freshness booster.
• Acrylates C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerThe gel maker.
• Acrylates CopolymerThe film former.
• AlcoholThe quick-dry alcohol.
• Alcohol DenatThe quick-dry alcohol.
• AllantoinThe skin soother.
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractThis is aloe vera.
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceThe soother.
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice PowderAloe vera, dried.
• Alpha Isomethyl IononeA soft, powdery scent.
• AquaThe base of most products.
• Argania Spinosa Kernel OilThe argan softener.
• AromaThis is the flavor.
• Ascorbyl PalmitateVitamin C's oil-loving form.
• Behentrimonium ChlorideThe heavy-duty detangler.
• Benzoic AcidA preservative that keeps things fresh.
• Benzyl AlcoholA preservative with a light scent.
• Benzyl BenzoateA sweet, balsamic scent.
• Benzyl SalicylateA sweet floral note.
• BhtThe freshness keeper.
• Bis Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl TriazineThe broad-spectrum shield.
• BisabololThe calming one.
• ButaneAnother spray pusher.
• Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneThe UVA shield.
• Butylene GlycolThe moisture helper.
• Butylphenyl MethylpropionalThis one's a lily scent.
• Butyrospermum Parkii ButterRich, creamy shea.
• C12 15 Alkyl BenzoateThe light sunscreen oil.
• Caprylic Capric TriglycerideA light, silky oil.
• Caprylyl GlycolA softening helper.
• CarbomerThe gel maker.
• Cellulose GumThe thickener.
• Cera AlbaThis is beeswax.
• Ceteareth 20The mixer.
• Cetearyl AlcoholNot the drying kind of alcohol.
• Cetrimonium ChlorideThe detangler.
• Cetyl AlcoholThe soft, waxy kind of alcohol.
• Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractThis is chamomile.
• Ci 15985This is the sunny orange.
• Ci 17200This one's a bright pinkish red.
• Ci 19140A bright yellow color.
• Ci 42090This is the bright blue.
• Ci 77891The bright white.
• CitralA fresh lemony scent.
• Citric AcidThe pH balancer.
• CitronellolA rosy scent.
• Cocamide MeaThe foam booster.
• Cocamidopropyl BetaineA foam maker from coconut.
• Coco BetaineThe gentle foam booster.
• Coco GlucosideA cleanser from coconut and sugar.
• Cocos Nucifera OilThe coconut softener.
• CoumarinA warm, sweet scent.
• CyclopentasiloxaneThe quick-dry silicone.
• Decyl GlucosideA cleanser made from sugar.
• Dehydroacetic AcidA gentle-acting preservative.
• Dicaprylyl CarbonateThe silky dry-touch oil.
• DimethiconeThe silky smoother.
• DimethiconolThe silky smoother.
• Disodium EdtaThe mineral grabber.
• Disteardimonium HectoriteThe clay thickener.
• Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateA classic sunburn shield.
• Ethylhexyl SalicylateA sunburn shield.
• EthylhexylglycerinA skin-conditioning helper.
• EugenolThis one smells like cloves.
• GeraniolA sweet floral scent.
• GlycerinMeet the moisture magnet.
• Glyceryl CaprylateThe skin-softening helper.
• Glyceryl OleateThe softener for cleansers.
• Glyceryl StearateThe cream blender.
• Glyceryl Stearate CitrateA gentle mixer.
• Glyceryl Stearate SeThe self-mixing emulsifier.
• Glycine Soja OilThis is soybean oil.
• Glycol DistearateThe pearly shine.
• Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideThe frizz tamer.
• Helianthus Annuus Seed OilGood old sunflower oil.
• Hexyl CinnamalA soft floral scent.
• Hexylene GlycolThe smooth blender.
• Hydrated SilicaThe polisher.
• Hydrogenated Castor OilThe firm-wax helper.
• HydroxycitronellalA fresh, flowery scent.
• HydroxyethylcelluloseThe gel maker.
• IsobutaneThe spray pusher.
• Isopropyl AlcoholThe quick-drying alcohol.
• Isopropyl MyristateThe light, silky oil.
• Isopropyl PalmitateThe light softener.
• Lactic AcidThe pH balancer.
• Laureth 4A cleansing helper.
• Lauryl GlucosideA gentle sugar-based cleanser.
• LecithinThe natural mixer.
• LimoneneA fresh citrus scent.
• LinaloolA soft floral scent.
• MaltodextrinA starch helper.
• MentholThe cool tingle.
• MethylchloroisothiazolinoneA strong preservative, always paired.
• MethylisothiazolinoneA strong preservative.
• MethylparabenA long-used preservative.
• MicaThis is the shimmer.
• NiacinamideThe skin-tone evener.
• OctyldodecanolThe smooth glider.
• Olea Europaea Fruit OilThe olive softener.
• Palmitic AcidAnother creamy fatty acid.
• PanthenolYour hair and skin's comfort helper.
• Paraffinum LiquidumThe moisture seal.
• ParfumThis is the scent.
• Peg 100 StearateThe mixer.
• Peg 40 Hydrogenated Castor OilThe oil mixer.
• Peg 7 Glyceryl CocoateThe softener for washes.
• Pentylene GlycolThe moisture helper.
• Persea Gratissima OilThis is avocado oil.
• PetrolatumThis is petroleum jelly.
• PhenoxyethanolThis one's the bodyguard.
• Polyquaternium 10The smoothing conditioner.
• Polyquaternium 7The slip maker.
• Polysorbate 20The mixer.
• Potassium HydroxideThe pH adjuster.
• Potassium SorbateA preservative that keeps things fresh.
• PropaneA spray-can gas.
• PropanediolThe helpful solvent.
• Propylene GlycolA moisture helper.
• PropylparabenA long-used preservative.
• Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis OilThe almond softener.
• Ricinus Communis Seed OilThis is castor oil.
• Salicylic AcidThe pore unclogger.
• SilicaThe oil soaker.
• Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilThis is jojoba oil.
• Sodium BenzoateA preservative that keeps things fresh.
• Sodium ChlorideYes, it's salt.
• Sodium CitrateThis one keeps the balance.
• Sodium FluorideThe cavity fighter.
• Sodium HyaluronateThe moisture magnet.
• Sodium HydroxideThe pH adjuster.
• Sodium LactateThe moisture magnet.
• Sodium Laureth SulfateThe big foam maker.
• Sodium Lauryl SulfateA strong foam maker.
• Sodium LevulinateThe plant-based preserver.
• Sodium SaccharinThis is the sweetener.
• Sodium SulfateA simple salt.
• SorbitolA sweet moisture helper.
• Stearic AcidA creamy fatty acid.
• Stearyl AlcoholA creamy fatty alcohol.
• Styrene Acrylates CopolymerThe creamy look-maker.
• Tetrasodium EdtaThe mineral grabber.
• Tetrasodium Glutamate DiacetateThe water softener.
• Titanium DioxideThe mineral sunscreen.
• TocopherolHello, vitamin E.
• Tocopheryl AcetateA form of vitamin E.
• TriethanolamineThe pH balancer.
• Triethyl CitrateThe citrus-based helper.
• Xanthan GumThe smooth thickener.
• XylitolThe tooth-friendly sweetener.