Alphabetical Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary from Paula Begoun, the Cosmetics Cop
| Rating | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Good |
faexA type of yeast.
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
| Average |
farnesolExtract of plants that is used in cosmetics primarily for fragrance. A few animal studies and some... |
| Average |
farnesyl acetate |
| Best |
fatty acidSubstance typically found in plant and animal lipids (fat). Fatty acids include compounds such as... |
| Good |
fatty alcoholMade from fatty acids; fatty alcohols are used in cosmetics as thickening agents and emollients.... |
| Good |
FD&CType of coloring agent. According to the FDA, when FD&C is followed by a color, the color is...
Categories:
Coloring Agents/Pigments
|
| Good |
FD&C colorsGeneral term for any color additive deemed to be safe and FDA-approved for use in foods, drugs, and...
Categories:
Coloring Agents/Pigments
|
| Poor |
fennel oilVolatile, fragrant oil that can cause skin sensitivity.
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Sensitizing
|
| Poor |
fennel seed extractCan have antioxidant properties, but on skin it can be a skin sensitizer (Source:... |
| Good |
ferric ammonium ferrocyanideInorganic salt of ferric ferrocyanide.
Categories:
Coloring Agents/Pigments
|
| Good |
ferric ferrocyanideAlso known as Iron Blue, a coloring agent used in cosmetic products, including those designed for...
Categories:
Coloring Agents/Pigments
|
| Poor |
Ferula galbaniflua |
| Best |
ferulic acidA plant-based antioxidant. Research suggests that it provides antioxidant...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
| Good |
feverfew extractA plant that can be very soothing but also potentially sensitizing to the skin... |
| Good |
fibronectinType of protein found in the skin....
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
| Best |
Ficus carica (fig) fruit extractFig is a rich source of a class of antioxidants known as phenolic compounds.
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Antioxidants
|
| Best |
fig
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Antioxidants
|
| Best |
Filipendula glaberrimaAlso known as Nakai, the root of this plant extract has been shown to be an antioxidant…
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
| Best |
Filipendula rubra
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
| Good |
film-forming agentLarge group of ingredients that are typically found in hair-care products, but that are also widely...
Categories:
Film-Forming/Holding Agents
|
| Best |
fireweed extractExtract from the Epilobium angustifolium plant; also known as willow herb.
Categories:
Skin-Soothing,
Plant Extracts
|
| Poor |
fir needle oilVolatile, fragrant oil that can cause skin sensitivity. |
| Average |
fish cartilage extractMay have water-binding properties, but there is no research showing that this has any benefit for...
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
| Best |
flavonoid
Categories:
Antioxidants
|
| Average |
flavourAny ingredient or combination of ingredients, natural or synthetic, added to a cosmetic to improve its taste, usually by masking the undesirable taste of another ingredient. In the EU, flavour is indicated as “aroma
Categories:
Miscellaneous
|
| Best |
flaxPlant source of linen and edible seeds. Flax seeds and seed oil have antioxidant properties...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Antioxidants
|
| Best |
flaxseed oilFrom seeds of the flax plant; a source of fatty acids, particularly omega-3.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
| Poor |
floralozoneOne of a number of synthetic fragrant components.
Categories:
Fragrance: Synthetic and Fragrant Plant Extracts
|
| Poor |
Foeniculum vulgare extract |
| Good |
folic acidPart of the B-vitamin complex; when taken orally, it is a good antioxidant. That benefit has not...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Vitamins
|
| Average |
formaldehyde-releasing preservativeCommon type of preservative found in cosmetics...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
| Best |
Fragaria vesca (strawberry) fruit extractStrawberry’s red colour comes from its high amount of antioxidant compounds known as anthocyanins.
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Plant Extracts
|
| Poor |
fragranceOne or a blend of volatile and/or fragrant plant oils (or synthetically derived oils) that impart... |
| Poor |
frankincense extractFragrant component used in skincare products; it can be a skin sensitizer... |
| Good |
fructoseA natural sugar that occurs in many fruits as well as in honey. Acts as a flavouring agent and humectant in cosmetics and is also a prebiotic.
Categories:
Skin-Replenishing
|
| Average |
fruit acid
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Plant Extracts
|
| Best |
Fucus vesiculosus extractFucus vesiculosus extract, also known as bladderwrack, is a type of brown algae (seaweed) that is edible. |
| Best |
Fu ling |
| Good |
fuller's earthMineral substance that is similar to kaolin (a clay). Composed mainly of alumina, silica, iron...
Categories:
Thickeners/Emulsifiers,
Absorbent
|
About the Experts
Paula Begoun is the best-selling author of 20 books about skincare and makeup. She is known worldwide as The Cosmetics Cop and creator of Paula’s Choice Skincare. Paula’s expertise has led to hundreds of appearances on national and international radio, print, and television including:
The Paula's Choice Research Team is dedicated to busting beauty myths and providing expert advice that solves your skincare frustrations so you can have the best skin of your life!