Cosmetic Ingredients A–Z
Understand what's really in your products. Each ingredient page explains what it is, why it might cause reactions, and how to spot it on a label.
Acrylates (Methacrylates)
Acrylates Copolymer
Synthetic polymers used in gel nails, acrylic nails, and dental composites. A fast-growing…
Balsam of Peru
Myroxylon Pereirae
A natural resin used in fragrances and flavorings. A marker allergen indicating sensitivit…
Benzocaine
Benzocaine
A local anaesthetic found in lip products, sunburn gels, and topical pain relievers. Can c…
Cetyl Alcohol
Cetyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that thickens and emulsifies cosmetics; rarely allergenic but can cause ir…
Potassium Dichromate (Chromium)
Potassium Dichromate
A strong chromium allergen found in green pigments, leather, and some industrial products.
Cinnamal (Cinnamaldehyde)
Cinnamaldehyde
A cinnamon-scented fragrance compound and one of the EU-regulated allergens in cosmetics
Citronellol
Citronellol
A rose-scented fragrance compound found in many essential oils and perfumes
Cobalt Chloride
Cobalt Chloride
A metal allergen commonly found in blue and violet cosmetic pigments, with frequent cross-…
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB)
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
A coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant common in gentle cleansers; a rising contact aller…
Colophonium (Rosin)
Colophonium
A natural resin from pine trees used for adhesion and texture. Common in mascara, wax, and…
Coumarin
Coumarin
A sweet-scented compound found in tonka beans and vanilla fragrances, restricted in some c…
DMDM Hydantoin
DMDM Hydantoin
A formaldehyde-releasing preservative used in shampoos and personal care. Subject of lawsu…
Eugenol
Eugenol
A clove-derived fragrance compound commonly found in perfumes and dental products
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde
A preservative and hair-straightening agent. Classified as a human carcinogen and strong s…
Fragrance (Parfum)
Parfum
A mixture of fragrance chemicals. Very common allergen, present in most cosmetics.
Geraniol
Geraniol
A rose-like fragrance compound that can cause allergic skin reactions in sensitized indivi…
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Imidazolidinyl Urea
A formaldehyde-releasing preservative used in cosmetics and personal care. Can sensitize s…
Kumkum & Sindoor Allergens
Various
Traditional Indian vermillion and forehead cosmetics that may contain heavy metals or alle…
Lanolin (Wool Wax)
Lanolin
A natural emollient derived from sheep wool; effective moisturizer but an allergen for som…
Lavender Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
A popular essential oil in skincare that can cause photosensitivity and allergic reactions
Limonene
Limonene
A citrus-scented compound present in most cosmetics that becomes allergenic when it oxidiz…
Linalool
Linalool
One of the most common fragrance allergens — found in lavender, coriander, and most perfum…
Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
A powerful antimicrobial preservative typically used with methylisothiazolinone (MI). High…
Methylisothiazolinone (MI)
Methylisothiazolinone
A powerful preservative that has become a leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
Methylparaben
Methylparaben
A preservative used to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Common allergen in skincare pr…
Neomycin Sulfate
Neomycin Sulfate
An aminoglycoside antibiotic used in topical creams and some cosmetics. Frequently causes…
Nickel Sulfate
Nickel Sulfate
The most prevalent metal allergen worldwide, present in cosmetic tools, packaging, and pig…
Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)
Benzophenone-3
UV filter used in sunscreens. Can cause photoallergic reactions.
Parthenium (Congress Grass)
Parthenium Hysterophorus
An invasive weed found across India causing airborne contact dermatitis. May contaminate h…
Paraphenylenediamine (PPD)
p-Phenylenediamine
A permanent hair dye ingredient. One of the most common causes of allergic contact dermati…
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol
A common solvent and humectant in cosmetics that can cause allergic contact dermatitis in…
Propylparaben
Propylparaben
A preservative from the paraben family, often used with methylparaben for broad-spectrum a…
Quaternium-15
Quaternium-15
A strong formaldehyde-releasing preservative. One of the most potent formaldehyde donors i…
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
A foam-producing surfactant common in shampoos and cleansers, milder than SLS but potentia…
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
A cleansing agent that can be irritating and drying to skin.
Tea Tree Oil
Melaleuca Alternifolia Oil
A widely used natural ingredient for acne that can cause allergic contact dermatitis
Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin
Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin
A formaldehyde-containing resin used in nail polish for durability. Common cause of allerg…
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