Ingredient dictionary
One page per INCI name: what it is, what it does, and which of the six checks it changes. 7,724 ingredients from the products in our database, most common first.
- AquaWater. The base of almost every cream, lotion, cleanser and toner.10,154 products
- ParfumThe perfume blend. One word on the label can stand for dozens of scent molecules.✕ Fragrance-free8,177 products
- GlycerinA humectant that draws water into the upper skin and keeps products from drying out.7,589 products
- Citric AcidA fruit acid used in small amounts to adjust the pH of a product.5,269 products
- LimoneneA citrus-scented fragrance allergen that EU labels must declare when it is present above a small threshold.✕ Fragrance-free4,301 products
- Sodium BenzoateA mild preservative, often paired with Potassium Sorbate in products that skip parabens.4,281 products
- LinaloolA floral, lavender-like fragrance allergen that EU labels must declare.✕ Fragrance-free4,176 products
- Sodium ChlorideTable salt, used to thicken shampoos and shower gels.3,746 products
- PhenoxyethanolThe most common preservative in products that avoid parabens.3,066 products
- Sodium HydroxideLye, used in tiny amounts to neutralise acids and set the pH.2,931 products
- Cocamidopropyl BetaineA gentle foaming cleanser made from coconut oil, often paired with sulfates to soften them.2,743 products
- TocopherolVitamin E, added to protect oils in the formula from going rancid and as an antioxidant for the skin.2,475 products
- Benzyl AlcoholA preservative and solvent that is also a mild scent component.2,390 products
- Sodium Laureth SulfateThe most common sulfate cleanser in shampoos and shower gels.✕ Sulfate-free2,289 products
- Propylene GlycolA humectant and solvent that helps other ingredients dissolve and keeps products from drying out.2,180 products
- Potassium SorbateA mild preservative against mould and yeast, common in paraben-free products.2,173 products
- CitronellolA rose-and-citronella scented fragrance allergen that EU labels must declare.✕ Fragrance-free2,117 products
- Xanthan GumA plant-derived thickener made by fermentation.2,093 products
- GeraniolA rose-scented fragrance allergen that EU labels must declare.✕ Fragrance-free1,905 products
- Hexyl CinnamalA jasmine-like fragrance allergen that EU labels must declare.✕ Fragrance-free1,864 products
- Cetearyl AlcoholA fatty alcohol that thickens creams and makes them feel rich. It is a wax, not a drying alcohol.1,832 products
- DimethiconeA silicone that smooths the skin surface and gives creams a silky feel.✕ Silicone-free1,821 products
- Disodium EDTAA chelating agent that grabs metal ions so they cannot spoil the product or dull the foam.1,738 products
- PanthenolProvitamin B5, a soothing humectant used in skin and hair care.1,642 products
- Tocopheryl AcetateA stable form of vitamin E used as an antioxidant in creams and sunscreens.1,641 products
- Caprylyl GlycolA skin-conditioning agent that also helps preserve the product.1,480 products
- CoumarinA sweet, hay-like fragrance allergen that EU labels must declare.✕ Fragrance-free1,328 products
- Benzyl SalicylateA faintly floral fragrance ingredient and UV absorber that EU labels must declare as an allergen.✕ Fragrance-free1,315 products
- EthylhexylglycerinA skin-conditioning agent that boosts the preservative, usually paired with Phenoxyethanol.1,284 products
- Alcohol DenatDenatured ethanol, the drying alcohol that fragrance-free and alcohol-free shoppers look for.✕ Alcohol-free1,225 products
- CitralCounts against fragrance-free.✕ Fragrance-free1,190 products
- CarbomerA synthetic gelling agent that gives serums and gels their texture.1,188 products
- Glyceryl StearateAn emulsifier that holds the oil and water parts of a cream together.1,182 products
- Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDoes not change any verdict.1,106 products
- Cetyl AlcoholA fatty alcohol that thickens and softens. It is a wax, not a drying alcohol.1,092 products
- Tetrasodium EDTADoes not change any verdict.1,022 products
- Alpha-isomethyl IononeCounts against fragrance-free.✕ Fragrance-free1,003 products
- SorbitolDoes not change any verdict.973 products
- Stearic AcidA fatty acid that thickens creams and helps them hold together.968 products
- AromaDoes not change any verdict.928 products
- Lactic AcidDoes not change any verdict.920 products
- Sodium Lauryl SulfateA strong sulfate cleanser and foaming agent.✕ Sulfate-free920 products
- Hydrated SilicaDoes not change any verdict.906 products
- Glycol DistearateDoes not change any verdict.897 products
- BHTDoes not change any verdict.894 products
- SilicaDoes not change any verdict.884 products
- Butylene GlycolDoes not change any verdict.878 products
- Sodium SaccharinDoes not change any verdict.875 products
- Coco-glucosideDoes not change any verdict.836 products
- Cellulose GumDoes not change any verdict.751 products
- Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideDoes not change any verdict.744 products
- CI 42090Does not change any verdict.734 products
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceDoes not change any verdict.731 products
- Sodium FluorideDoes not change any verdict.700 products
- PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilDoes not change any verdict.695 products
- Sodium CitrateDoes not change any verdict.662 products
- Glyceryl OleateDoes not change any verdict.655 products
- MethylisothiazolinoneDoes not change any verdict.652 products
- Sodium HyaluronateThe salt form of hyaluronic acid, a humectant that holds many times its weight in water.651 products
- IsobutaneDoes not change any verdict.642 products
- Benzoic AcidDoes not change any verdict.636 products
- AlcoholCounts against alcohol-free.✕ Alcohol-free632 products
- CI 19140Does not change any verdict.629 products
- PropaneDoes not change any verdict.625 products
- ButaneDoes not change any verdict.624 products
- Helianthus Annuus Seed OilDoes not change any verdict.616 products
- Butyrospermum Parkii ButterShea butter, a rich plant butter from the nuts of the shea tree.610 products
- MicaA mineral that gives makeup and highlighters their shimmer.593 products
- EugenolCounts against fragrance-free.✕ Fragrance-free581 products
- AllantoinDoes not change any verdict.574 products
- Benzyl BenzoateCounts against fragrance-free.✕ Fragrance-free573 products
- CI 77891Does not change any verdict.570 products
- NiacinamideVitamin B3, a widely used skin-conditioning ingredient.570 products
- Salicylic AcidA beta hydroxy acid used to exfoliate and clear pores.551 products
- MentholDoes not change any verdict.548 products
- Stearyl AlcoholDoes not change any verdict.545 products
- Butylphenyl MethylpropionalCounts against fragrance-free.✕ Fragrance-free543 products
- TriethanolamineDoes not change any verdict.543 products
- C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateDoes not change any verdict.542 products
- MethylchloroisothiazolinoneDoes not change any verdict.537 products
- Polyquaternium-7Does not change any verdict.537 products
- Palmitic AcidDoes not change any verdict.528 products
- PropanediolDoes not change any verdict.518 products
- MethylparabenA paraben preservative, the most widely used member of the family.✕ Paraben-free515 products
- Polysorbate 20Does not change any verdict.515 products
- OctyldodecanolDoes not change any verdict.514 products
- HydroxycitronellalCounts against fragrance-free.✕ Fragrance-free511 products
- DimethiconolCounts against silicone-free.✕ Silicone-free507 products
- Polyquaternium-10Does not change any verdict.504 products
- CyclopentasiloxaneA light, fast-evaporating silicone that gives serums and primers their weightless feel.✕ Silicone-free502 products
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerDoes not change any verdict.495 products
- Decyl GlucosideDoes not change any verdict.495 products
- Butyrospermum Parkii Shea ButterDoes not change any verdict.487 products
- PEG-7 Glyceryl CocoateDoes not change any verdict.477 products
- Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDoes not change any verdict.476 products
- Cocamide MEADoes not change any verdict.475 products
- Isopropyl AlcoholCounts against alcohol-free.✕ Alcohol-free474 products
- Pentylene GlycolDoes not change any verdict.474 products
- Isopropyl PalmitateDoes not change any verdict.459 products
- Acrylates CopolymerDoes not change any verdict.432 products
- Isopropyl MyristateDoes not change any verdict.428 products
- Helianthus Annuus Sunflower Seed OilDoes not change any verdict.425 products
- Ethylhexyl SalicylateDoes not change any verdict.420 products
- Paraffinum LiquidumMineral oil, a highly refined petroleum-derived emollient.420 products
- Cetrimonium ChlorideDoes not change any verdict.419 products
- Titanium DioxideA white mineral pigment and sunscreen filter.413 products
- Tetrasodium Glutamate DiacetateDoes not change any verdict.406 products
- Disteardimonium HectoriteDoes not change any verdict.404 products
- Lauryl GlucosideDoes not change any verdict.401 products
- HydroxyethylcelluloseDoes not change any verdict.400 products
- PEG-100 StearateDoes not change any verdict.392 products
- Styrene/Acrylates CopolymerDoes not change any verdict.389 products
- CI 77492Does not change any verdict.386 products
- 2-hexanediolDoes not change any verdict.383 products
- LecithinDoes not change any verdict.383 products
- Dehydroacetic AcidDoes not change any verdict.370 products
- CI 77491Does not change any verdict.362 products
- Behentrimonium ChlorideDoes not change any verdict.358 products
- Cocos Nucifera Coconut OilDoes not change any verdict.349 products
- MaltodextrinDoes not change any verdict.348 products
