Ingredients

A powdery, violet-like scent ingredient and listed fragrance allergen.

A jasmine-like scent ingredient and listed fragrance allergen.

A floral scent ingredient and listed fragrance allergen.

A sweet, floral scent ingredient and listed fragrance allergen.

Also written Anisyl Alcohol

Flavour — what gives toothpaste or lip balm its taste. Like fragrance, it's a blend the label doesn't itemise, and it can contain the same allergens.

Also written Flavor, Flavour

A balsamic scent ingredient (also used as a solvent). One of the fragrance allergens EU labels must name.

A sweet, balsamic scent ingredient. One of the fragrance allergens EU labels must name.

A faint, sweet scent ingredient that also absorbs a little UV. One of the fragrance allergens EU labels must name.

The molecule that makes cinnamon smell like cinnamon — and one of the more common fragrance allergens.

Also written Cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamic Aldehyde

A warm, hyacinth-like scent ingredient and listed fragrance allergen.

A lemony scent molecule and a known fragrance allergen.

A rose-like scent molecule and a listed fragrance allergen.

Neroli flower oil — an essential oil, there for scent. Essential oils are natural sources of the fragrance allergens labels must name (linalool, limonene, geraniol…) and can irritate sensitive skin.

Bergamot essential oil, the scent of Earl Grey. Ordinary bergamot oil can cause burns and dark patches on skin in sunlight; many brands use a bergapten-free (FCF) grade.

Also written Bergamot Oil

Sweet orange essential oil — nearly all limonene, which becomes a stronger allergen as it oxidises in air.

Also written Orange Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Sweet Orange Oil

Lemon essential oil, rich in limonene. Cold-pressed lemon oil can make skin react to sunlight, so take care in the sun with leave-on products that contain it.

Also written Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Oil, Lemon Oil, Lemon Peel Oil

A sweet, hay-like scent molecule and a listed fragrance allergen.

Eucalyptus essential oil. Fresh and cooling, but it can irritate sensitive skin, and like other essential oils it becomes a stronger allergen as it oxidises.

Also written Eucalyptus Oil

The clove-scented molecule; a listed fragrance allergen.

Treemoss, a perfume base like oakmoss, and a strong allergen for the same reasons.

Also written Evernia Furfuracea (Treemoss) Extract, Treemoss Extract

Oakmoss, a classic perfume base. A strong allergen — the EU limits the compounds in it that cause most reactions.

Also written Evernia Prunastri (Oakmoss) Extract, Oakmoss Extract

A soft floral scent molecule found in many flowers and essential oils. One of the fragrance allergens EU labels must name.

A rosy scent molecule and a well-known fragrance allergen.

A jasmine-like scent molecule and a listed fragrance allergen.

A fresh, lily-like scent ingredient. A well-known allergen, limited to small amounts in the EU.

A spicy, carnation-like scent ingredient and a strong sensitizer, limited to small amounts in the EU.

Lavender essential oil. Natural, but rich in linalool and a known cause of skin reactions.

Also written Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Lavender Oil

A citrus scent molecule. Oxidises in air into compounds that commonly cause contact allergy.

Also written D-Limonene

A floral scent molecule from lavender and many other plants. Becomes a stronger allergen once exposed to air.

Peppermint oil gives a cooling tingle — which is mild irritation. Not ideal for sensitive skin.

Also written Peppermint Oil

The cooling compound in mint. That fresh tingle is mild irritation — pleasant for most, not ideal for sensitive or broken skin.

A green, violet-leaf scent ingredient and listed fragrance allergen.

Also written Methyl Heptine Carbonate

A blend of scent chemicals the brand doesn't have to itemise. Fragrance is the most common cause of allergic reactions to cosmetics — skip it if your skin is sensitive.

Also written Fragrance, Perfume

Geranium flower oil — an essential oil, there for scent. Essential oils are natural sources of the fragrance allergens labels must name (linalool, limonene, geraniol…) and can irritate sensitive skin.

Sandalwood oil — an essential oil, there for scent. Essential oils are natural sources of the fragrance allergens labels must name (linalool, limonene, geraniol…) and can irritate sensitive skin.