Seche Rebuild

As a masking ingredient, adipic acid is used to obscure or block properties of other ingredients. They are commonly used to block the scent of a product.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.

Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.

This ingredient is considered to be toxic and carcinogenic in high amounts by the US, Canada, Australia, and the EU.

According to the government of Australia, this ingredient is water-soluble, rapidly metabolized in the body, and only tiny amounts are absorbed through skin.

Some preservatives release formaldehyde as a side-product. These are required to be labeled "contains formaldehyde" in the EU.

According to the FDA, these are formaldehyde-related ingredients on labels:

Tiny amounts are allowed in products such as hand cream, bath products, nail treatments, lotions, mouth wash, hair products, eye makeup, vaginal deodorants, and shaving cream.

Formaldehyde is water-soluble.

Irritation or contact-dermatitis usually occurs in levels exceeding 0.1% of this ingredient.

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.

Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.

Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.