Beauty ingredients, explained calmly and with sources

Preservatives that stop mould and bacteria growing in a product

Plasticisers and fragrance fixatives that make scent last and films flexible

A preservative (now largely replaced by slow-release alternatives)

A preservative that slowly releases small amounts of formaldehyde

A chemical (organic) UV filter used in some sunscreens

A strong foaming cleanser (surfactant)

A milder foaming cleanser (surfactant)

An undisclosed blend of scent ingredients

A widely used preservative, often the paraben replacement

A preservative that became a notable contact allergen

An antibacterial agent, now largely phased out

A synthetic antioxidant / preservative (not the same as beta-hydroxy acid)

A synthetic antioxidant that keeps oils from going rancid

A soft mineral used in powders, blushes and eyeshadows

Salts that temporarily block sweat glands in antiperspirants

A common UVB chemical sunscreen filter

A widely used UVB chemical sunscreen filter

A vitamin-A active used for skin renewal and anti-ageing

A solvent historically used in nail polish

A skin-lightening agent

An active in some anti-dandruff and psoriasis products

A vivid red pigment — and a key vegan flag

A rich emollient — and a vegan flag

A natural wax that gives structure to balms and sticks — and a vegan flag

A silicone that smooths skin and hair and seals in moisture

A light, fast-evaporating silicone that gives a silky slip

Emulsifiers and texture agents (polyethylene glycols)

A beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) exfoliant for pores and oil

An acne-fighting active

A mineral UV filter and white pigment

A broad-spectrum mineral UV filter

A vitamin-B3 active for barrier, tone and oil

A humectant that holds water in the skin

A gentle humectant that hydrates skin