L-Malic acid is a tart-tasting organic dicarboxylic acid that plays a role in many sour or tart foods. L-Malic acid is the naturally occurring form, whereas a mixture of L- and D-malic acid is produced synthetically. In humans, L-malic acid is both derived from food sources and synthesized in the body through the citric acid cycle or Krebs cycle which takes place in the mitochondria. L-Malate's importance to the production of energy in the body during both aerobic and anaerobic conditions is well established. Under aerobic conditions, the oxidation of L-malate to oxaloacetate provides reducing equivalents to the mitochondria through the malate-aspartate redox shuttle. During anaerobic conditions, where a buildup of excess of reducing equivalents inhibits glycolysis, L-malic acid's simultaneous reduction to succinate and oxidation to oxaloacetate is capable of removing the accumulating reducing equivalents. This allows L-malic acid to reverse hypoxia's inhibition of glycolysis and energy production. In studies on rats it has been found that only tissue malate is depleted following exhaustive physical activity. Notably, the administration of malic acid to rats has been shown to elevate mitochondrial malate and increase mitochondrial respiration and energy production. L-Malic acid is the source of extreme tartness in United States-produced confectionery, the so-called extreme candy. It is also used with or in place of the less sour citric acid in sour sweets. These sweets are sometimes labeled with a warning stating that excessive consumption can cause irritation of the mouth. The quantitative determination of L-malic acid is especially important in the manufacture of wine, beer, bread, fruit and vegetable products, as well as in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It is one of the most important fruit acids, and has the highest concentration of all acids in wine. In the wine industry, the level of L-malic acid is monitored, along with L-lactic acid, during malolactic fermentation. Malic acid is approved for use as a food additive in the EU, US and Australia and New Zealand. Malic acid, when added to food products, is denoted by E number E296.

D-mannose is a simple sugar found naturally in fruits such as cranberries and pineapples. Unlike many sugars, it is not metabolised or stored in the liver. Much of it is excreted in the urine, where it interferes with particle attachment and prevents certain kind of bacteria from sticking to the walls and causing infection. Mannose supplement is also indicated for treatment of carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome, however clinical trials failed to prove its efficacy.

OCTOXYNOL-1 is a nonionic surfactant that has a hydrophilic ethylene oxide chain and an aromatic hydrocarbon lipophilic or hydrophobic 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenyl group. OCTOXYNOL-1 is insoluble in water and soluble in common polar organic solvents. OCTOXYNOL-1 are being used in cosmetic products. Concentration of use data received from the cosmetics industry in 1999 and updated in 2001 indicate that the Octoxynols (their salts and organic acids included) are used in cosmetics at concentrations ranging from 0.0008% to 25%, and that most of the use concentrations are less than 5.0%. OCTOXYNOL-1 is a common environmental pollutant that displays weak estrogenic effects. OCTOXYNOL-1 has been shown to cause harm to the male reproductive system of vertebrates in particular among aquatic species where gonadal intersex, altered sex ratios, and reduced gonad size has been observed.

Hexylene glycol is a small molecular weight surfactant. Hexylene Glycol is a solvent and viscosity agent used in many skin care products. Hexylene Glycol is a solvent and viscosity agent used in many skin care products. It is used to thin out heavy compositions and create a thinner, more spreadable product. Hexylene Glycol is a solvent and viscosity agent used in many skin care products. Hexylene glycol is used in the formulation of hair and bath products, eye and facial makeup, fragrances, personal cleanliness products, and shaving and skin care products. Hexylene glycol is widely used in the coating industry as a component for lacquers, varnishes, printing inks and both oil and water-based paints. Although the FDA has approved Hexylene Glycol and the CIR found it an acceptable solvent in skin care products, some studies have shown that it is an irritant.

Ethyl oleate is a fatty acid ester used as a solvent for pharmaceutical drug preparations involving lipophilic substances such as steroids. In vivo studies have demonstrated that Ethyl oleate and other fatty acid esters are also rapidly hydrolyzed to ethanol and free fatty acid. Ethyl oleate is one of the fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) that is formed in the body after ingestion of ethanol. There is a growing body of research literature that implicates FAEEs such as ethyl oleate as the toxic mediators of ethanol in the body (pancreas, liver, heart, and brain). Among the speculations is that ethyl oleate may be the toxic mediator of alcohol in fetal alcohol syndrome. The oral ingestion of ethyl oleate has been carefully studied and due to rapid degradation in the digestive tract, it appears safe for oral ingestion. Ethyl oleate is not currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for any injectable use. However, it is used by compounding pharmacies as a vehicle for intramuscular drug delivery, in some cases to prepare the daily doses of progesterone in support of pregnancy. Studies which document the safe use of ethyl oleate in pregnancy for both the mother and the fetus have never been performed.

Ethylene is a gaseous organic compound. Ethylene is an important raw material for the chemical industry and feedstock for 30 percent of all petrochemicals. Ethylene is used for the production of many plastics, including polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PET, cellulose acetate and polyvinyl acetate polymer. Ethylene is used in the production of specialty glass for the automotive industry (car glass). Ethylene is used as oxy-fuel gas in metal cutting, welding and high velocity thermal spraying. Ethylene is used as refrigerant, especially in LNG liquefaction plants. Ethylene is used in the extraction of rubber. Ethylene was used as a general anesthetic in major as well as minor surgery: tonsillectomies, appendectomies, Caesarian sections, hysterectomies, gastro-enterostomies, cholecystectomies, and other operations where the age of the patient ranges from three days to eighty-four or five years. Ethylene is the first-identified plant hormone known to regulate numerous processes in plant growth, development, and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Ethylene is best known for its effect on fruit ripening and organ abscission, and thus has great commercial importance in agriculture.

The cationic surfactant, stearamidoethyl diethylamine (SD) is an emulsifier used in topical medications and cosmetics. Stearamidoethyl Diethylamine is an ingredient found in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products, primarily in shampoos and other hair care formulas, as an emulsifier, anti-static agent, and hair conditioner. It has been reported to cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Butylene glycol, or 1, 3-Butanediol, is an organic compoud found in peppers (Capsicum annuum). It is used as a solvent for flavoring agents, as a viscosity-descreasing agent in cosmetics and skin care products and as a hypoglycaemic agent for diabetics.