Ingredients Glossary
We prioritize science over trends when it comes to ingredients, and that armed with right facts you can decide which are right for you personally. Our Ingredients Glossary is your definitive guide to ingredients used in supplement and skincare products — from those considered safe and effective to the potentially harmful hormone disruptors that we recommend you avoid.
Hormone Disrupting & Toxic
The average person is exposed to 85,000 harmful chemicals daily. This is why we believe all women of all life stages should be thoughtful about the safety of their skincare. Veracity will never formulate products with these ingredients.
Aluminum Salts
Aluminum salts are found in all antiperspirant deodorants as they are the only FDA-approved ingredient that stops sweat by temporarily blocking your pores.
Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid is a heavy hitter when it comes to skincare.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is a tried and tested organic, anti-acne treatment.
Benzophenone Related Compounds
Benzophenone is commonly used in chemical sunscreen products, lip balm, and nail polish as it has properties that protect from UV rays.
BHT
BHT is a preservative used in lipsticks and moisturizers.
Butoxyethanol
Butoxyethanol is a substance that is mainly used in beauty products to thin out liquids like hair dyes and nail polishes.
Chemical UV Filters
Chemical sunscreens rely on chemicals like avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octinoxate to prevent UV rays from infiltrating skin.
Coal Tar
Coal tar is a by-product of the coal production process that is used in some hair dyes and cosmetics.
Cyclic Silicones Family
This family of silicones, including D4, D5, D6, and cyclomethicone, is primarily used in skincare products like moisturizers and serums as well as deodorants and lotions to create a soft and smooth texture.
Ethanolamines
Ethanolamines (DEA, TEA, MEA, ETA) are one class of ingredients used to create lather and suds in beauty products.
Ethoxylated Ingredients
Ethoxylated ingredients help water bind with dirt and oil in order to clean skin and hair.
Formaldehyde / Formaldehyde Releasers
Formaldehyde is a commonly used preservative and a known carcinogen.
Fragrance / Parfum (Nitromusks, Polycyclic Musks)
Fragrance (or parfum) is a general term that refers to the complex mixture of chemicals that creates a luxurious and unique scent in a particular product.
Heavy Metal Compounds
Heavy metals (including but not limited to lead, arsenic, and mercury) are not deliberately incorporated into beauty product formulas, but they can be found as contaminates often in the color pigments of cosmetics.
Isothiazolinones
Chemicals in the isothiazolinone family, particularly methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone, are used as preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria in mostly liquid products.
Lavender (Extract and Oil)
Lavender (or lavandula) is commonly used as a component of fragrance.
Lecithin
Lecithin belongs to a class of chemicals known as phytoestrogens, which are naturally occurring plant compounds found in soy that are commonly used as emollients in cosmetics to help soften and soothe skin.
Mercury Compounds
Mercury compounds such as thimerosal are another preservative sometimes used in cosmetics.
Nanoparticles
As their name suggests, nanoparticles are extremely small molecules that are added to skincare products and cosmetics to change the function of an ingredient and enhance delivery mechanisms of active ingredients.
Papaya Extract
Papaya extract is thought to work as an exfoliator, though research is scarce on its specific benefits to skin.
Parabens
Parabens (butylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben) are the most common preservatives used in cosmetics.
Perfluorinated Compounds (PFAS or PFC)
Perfluorinated compounds (also known as PFA or PFC) are considered one of the main categories of endocrine disrupting chemicals (or EDCs).
Petrolatum and Paraffin
Petrolatum and paraffin are both byproducts of the petroleum (oil/gas) refining process.
Phthalates
Phthalates, including DBP, DMP, and DEP (the most common in skincare), have been included in some cosmetics and fragrances to make products more flexible and to set their formulas.
Resorcinol
Resorcinol is a chemical that can be found in some acne medications as well as hair dyes.
Retinoids
Retinol and retinol compounds are forms of vitamin A, popularly used for their ability to treat aging, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Salicylic acid, which is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), is a skin exfoliant that is commonly used in the treatment and prevention of acne.
Soy Protein-Derived Materials (Phytoestrogens)
Phytoestrogens, such as lecithin, are naturally occurring plant compounds found in soy that are commonly used as emollients in cosmetics to help soften and soothe skin.
Sulfates
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are commonly used in shampoos and cleansers to help give these products a bubbling and foaming effect.
Talc
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that is often used in face and body powders and can also be found in some cosmetics like liquid foundations and skincare products as an absorbent.
Triclosan / Triclocarban
Triclosan and triclocarban have been commonly used in some beauty and household cleaning products to prevent bacterial growth.