Say what? A strong fragrance raw material (ethereal, aldehydic, fruity note). It is also used in the synthesis of various chemicals including polyester resins and basic dyes. It is also used as a fruit & fish preservative, flavoring agent, and denaturant for alcohol.

What is it used for? Since it is a product of plant respiration and incomplete wood combustion, coffee roasting, burning of tobacco, vehicle exhaust fumes, etc. it is pervasive in the environment. It also may be formed in the body from alcohol metabolism.

Why we don't use it: It is a probable human carcinogen. Eye, skin and respiratory irritation are likely from short-term exposure. It can be added directly to formulas or present as an impurity.

Say what? Water-soluble dyes that impart color to a product.

What is it used for? Used to color fine fragrances and other personal care products. 

Why we don't use it: Prior to being regulated by the FDA, certain dyes added to food products caused behavioral and health concerns in children and skin irritation in adults. This is why they are now regulated by the FDA and the manufacturing of each lot needs to be pre-approved by the FDA prior to use. Skin irritation is a concern for sensitive skin.

Say what? A flavor ingredient, fragrance enhancer and fixative, and additive for plastics for UV protection. It is naturally occurring in grapes and other fruits. Derivatives of benzophenone like benzophenone-2 and benzophenone-3 and oxybenzone are common UV light absorbers. 

What is it used for? Fragrances, personal care and home care products, food and beverages

Why we don't use it: Synthetic version recently removed from the Food Additives List by the FDA due to carcinogenic concerns. It is also environmentally persistence, bio-accumulative and toxic.

Say what? A very effective antioxidant used to extend product shelf life and protect fragrances from oxidative changes in odor over time. 

What is it used for? Fragrances, personal care and home care products, food and beverages.

Why we don't use it: It is linked to a wide range of health effects from systemic exposure. However, it is not known to readily penetrate the skin and its not readily volatile.

Say what? A very effective chelating agent that binds metal ions, thereby extending product shelf life and protecting fragrances from degradation over time. It is a water-soluble ingredient that can be added to a finished formula, not a fragrance oil. 

What is it used for? Fine fragrances, personal care and home care products.

Why we don't use it: Potential reproductive/developmental concerns from systemic exposure. EDTA does not readily penetrate the skin, but is a skin penetration enhancer of other ingredients.

Say what? Nonionic surfactants that are used to solubilize fragrance oils into water based systems.

What is it used for? Can be found in water-based personal care products. 

Why we don't use it: Can potentially be contaminated with ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen.

Say what? A naturally occurring flavoring agent and fragrance ingredient with a spicy character. It is a natural constituent of many essential oils, including citronella, basil, bay and tea tree oils and food including herbs, grapefruit, bananas. 

What is it used for? Fragrances, essential oils, pesticides, herbs. 

Why we don't use it: Synthetic version recently removed from the Food Additives List by the FDA due to carcinogenic concerns.

Say what? A naturally occurring flavor and fragrance agent with a spicy, terpenic peppery character. It is a natural constituent of verbena, lemongrass, citrus, pomegranate and carrot essential oils and juices. 

What is it used for? Fragrances, essential oils, food and beverages.

Why we don't use it: Synthetic version recently removed from the Food Additives List by the FDA due to carcinogenic concerns.

Say what? A class of synthetic fragrance raw materials like musk ketone and tonquitone. They are considered base notes that impart a musky odor. 

What is it used for? Fragrances.

Why we don't use it: May contain a low level of musk xylene as a contaminant which is a carcinogen. They are not readily biodegradable and can lead to aquatic toxicity. They are also classified as CMRs.

Say what? A UV absorber used to extend product shelf life and protect fragrances and products from photo-degradation.

What is it used for? Fragrances, personal care and home care products

Why we don't use it: Linked to endocrine disruption. It is persistent in the environment and has led to damage to the coral reefs and toxicity to marine life.

Say what? A vegetable oil derived from the reddish pulp of the fruit of the oil palms. 

What is it used for? A select few fragrance additives and carriers may be palm-derived. 

Why we don't use it: Increased used of palm oil has caused increased and wider cultivation of the palm oil trees, leading to clearing of Indonesia and Malaysia forests and destroying the natural habitat of the Orangutans and our planet's source of life.

Say what? A group of synthetic preservatives used to prevent microbial growth and contamination in cosmetic products 

What is it used for? Personal care products. 

Why we don't use it: Potentially linked to endocrine disruption.

Say what? Plasticizer/solvent used to improve solubility of fragrances in oil-soluble products. 

What is it used for? Fragrances, personal care and home care products.

Why we don't use it: Not widely used in fragrances today in the U.S. Linked to endocrine disruption.

Say what? A natural constituent of essential oils from mint plants, including peppermint, spearmint and pennyroyal. 

What is it used for? Fragrances, essential oils, flavors.

Why we don't use it: Synthetic version recently removed from the Food Additives List by the FDA due to carcinogenic concerns.

Say what? A compound with a distinct unpleasant, fish-like smell commonly used as a flavoring agent for fish/seafood types. It has also been added to ethanol at low doses to denature it, thereby making it undrinkable due to its bitterness. It can also be used in many chemical reactions for synthesis of other chemicals.

What is it used for? Flavors, fragrances.

Why we don't use it: Synthetic version recently removed from the Food Additives List by the FDA due to carcinogenic concerns.

Say what? Volatile carrier that also has very unique properties. Its low surface tension provides excellent skin feel and is perceived as a "dry" oil. 

What is it used for? Fragrances, personal care and home care products.

Why we don't use it: Concerns over certain silicones accumulating in the environment. However, these models are based on carbon compounds, and silicones can not be properly evaluated with this current framework.

Say what? A sweet smelling material used extensively in the chemical synthesis of polystyrene resins.

What is it used for? Natural fragrance extracts in small quantities like cinnamon, coffee beans, balsam trees and peanuts.

Why we don't use it: Linked to endocrine disruption and carcinogen. IFRA has a standard for its use.

Say what? pH adjuster - it is a strong base that will raise the pH.

What is it used for? In perfumery, it is commonly used to stabilize indole (a naturally occurring ingredient in many flowers).

Why we don't use it: Depending on the dosage, there is a concern for skin and eye irritation. It may also lead to the formation of nitrosamines (carcinogens).

Say what? Petrochemical solvents commonly used in chemical synthesis

What is it used for? May be present as impurities in some synthetic fragrance ingredients. 

Why we don't use it: Classified as CMRs (carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive substances).