What's In it? Triacetin

Other names it goes by 1,2,3- triacetoxypropane, propanetriyl ester, glycerin triacetate.

What's it used in? Nail polish, styling mousse, toothpaste, body washes, food additives, in petrol to reduce engine knocking, to improve cold and viscosity properties of biodiesel, and in cigarettes.

What does it do? Used as a fragrance ingredient, a solvent, a plasticiser and a food additive.

Any controversy? The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology discovered in 1963 that animal studies revealed the presence of both brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses.