Ingredient dictionary

Acid found in vinegar, some fruits, and human sweat. It can be sensitising to skin.

This solvent is commonly used as nail polish remover and can irritate skin and mucus membranes.

Advanced glycation endproducts, also known as AGEs, are caused by the body's major fuel source, namely glucose.

Advanced glycation endproducts are caused by the body's major fuel source, namely glucose.

This combination of two separate ingredients can have both healing and astringent properties.

Anything with a pH higher than 7 is alkaline; a pH below 7 is acidic.

This fragrance ingredient contains components that can cause skin irritation and sensitivity.

This oil from the root of an alpine plant contains a high amount of skin-sensitizing limonene.

This herbal ingredient has antioxidant properties but can also cause skin irritation.

This lotion can effectively treat several skin conditions, but long-term use can lead to skin drying out.

Aromatic substance obtained from the wood of a tree common to Southeast Asia.

Component of capsicum. When used topically, capsaicin can prevent the transmission of pain.

Name for a genus of plants that includes chili peppers and bell peppers. Learn more at Paula’s Choice.

Fatty resin derived from capsicum plants. It can be sensitising to skin.

Can have antioxidant properties when applied to skin, but can aggravate skin.

Bitter apple; considered sensitising to skin.

This leaf, its oil, and it extract can be potent skin sentizers when applied repeatedly.

Member of the mint family and also known as forskolin; can be a skin sensitizer.

This nano-sized form of sulfur has antimicrobial and soothing properties.

Effective for soothing skin, but there is no research showing it has any impact when used in skin care products.

Also known as wild mint; it can be sensitising to skin.

Denatured alcohol has solvent and texture-enhancing properties in cosmetics but has proven to damage and dehydrate skin.

White powder that can be used to create abrasive formulations (not recommended) or can be formulated in a way that lends opacity to makeup (which is not problematic).

Latin name Inula helenium; it is a plant that can be very sensitising to the skin.