Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk

A silicone that gives a smooth, soft feel and helps hold water in the skin. Inert and well studied.

The base most products are built on. It carries the other ingredients and has no safety concern.

A mineral UV filter that sits on the skin surface and reflects and scatters UV light. It is one of the best-studied sunscreen actives and is generally considered non-irritating and safe for use, including on sensitive skin.

A fast-evaporating solvent used to carry actives and give toners a light, "clean" feel; at the concentrations used in classic astringents it can be genuinely drying or irritating with repeated use, especially on dry or compromised skin, though it is not inherently toxic and is a normal, well-studied cosmetic ingredient.

A mineral powder valued for its absorbent and soft-feel properties in cosmetics. Cosmetic-grade talc is required to be asbestos-free; inhalation risk from topical application is minimal. Generally well tolerated when used as intended.

A lightweight hydrocarbon that gives formulas a smooth, silky feel. Used in color cosmetics and sunscreens. Well tolerated and inert.

A lightweight ester emollient rated safe at concentrations up to 10 percent by the CIR Expert Panel. It has been assessed as low irritation, non-comedogenic, and shows no evidence of endocrine disruption in published literature.

An organic UV-B filter that also stabilizes other sunscreen actives like avobenzone. The EU SCCS reviewed it and concluded it is safe at current use levels, though rare contact allergy has been reported and older, degraded product may form small amounts of benzophenone.

A mild UVB chemical filter usually used to help dissolve and stabilize other sunscreen actives. It has a long OTC history at US-approved levels with a low rate of reported irritation.

A mineral thickener and anti-caking agent widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics to control texture and prevent ingredient separation. CIR has reviewed silica in cosmetic use and found no basis for concern at the levels used topically.

A synthetic ester used to thin out heavy formulas and help other ingredients absorb faster. It is considered safe as used by CIR, but it has a reputation among acne-prone users for feeling occlusive on skin, so people who clog easily may prefer to patch test or choose lighter alternatives.

A mineral UV filter and white pigment used in sunscreens and makeup. It sits on the skin surface rather than being absorbed, and major regulators consider it safe for topical cosmetic use.

A humectant that draws water into the skin. One of the best-studied, best-tolerated ingredients in personal care.

A UV-B filter used in sunscreens. After reassessing hormone-activity data, the EU lowered its permitted maximum concentration as a precaution, but concluded the ingredient remains safe for use at the new lower limit.

A broken-down form of hyaluronic acid with smaller molecules intended to penetrate more deeply into the skin. It functions as a humectant and is well tolerated, with the same safety profile as standard hyaluronic acid.

A naturally occurring fatty acid (also made in the body and found in many foods) used to thicken lotions and help stabilize cleansing bars. It is one of the most well-studied emollient ingredients and is not a meaningful irritant at cosmetic use levels.

An antioxidant that helps protect a formula and condition skin. Well tolerated.

A small-dose synthetic antioxidant that prevents oils and fragrance in a formula from oxidizing. Not shown to pose a toxicological risk at the levels used in cosmetics.

A widely used preservative, safe at the legal limit of 1% or less. Often the "paraben-free" replacement.

An undisclosed scent blend that can contain dozens of components. The single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy, and the blend is not itemized, so you cannot see what is in it.

A salt derived from citric acid that buffers pH and prevents metal oxidation in formulas. Widely used in food and cosmetics, it is well tolerated at cosmetic concentrations.

An extract from green tea leaves, widely used in skincare for powerful antioxidants. Published safety assessments support good tolerance. Well tolerated across skin types.

An organic UVB filter approved in the EU and widely used in Korean and Japanese sunscreens at up to 5 percent. It is highly photostable and shows low skin penetration in the reviewed data. It is not on the FDA-approved UV filter list, so US-formulated sunscreens do not use it; that is a regulatory-process gap rather than a documented safety finding against the ingredient.

Natural corn starch used to absorb excess oil and add body to cosmetic formulas. It is very well-tolerated and has a long history of safe use in personal care.

A salt form of glycyrrhizic acid, a compound from licorice root prized for soothing irritated skin. It is well tolerated at cosmetic levels and has a long history of use in skincare formulations.

Used in tiny amounts to set a product to skin-friendly pH. No concern at those levels.

A quaternized clay mineral used to thicken and suspend products. CIR found it safe as used, though the mineral base means trace amounts of inhalable silica particles exist if the powder form is aerosolized. It is well tolerated in leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics when formulated properly.

A silane used to improve texture and conditioning properties in leave-on cosmetics. It is hydrolyzed during formulation and creates silicone-like benefits; well tolerated at standard use levels.

A broad-spectrum organic UV filter used widely in European and international sunscreens. Approved by the EU and other regulators as safe at cosmetic levels.

The sodium salt of benzoic acid, used as a preservative in both foods and cosmetics. Decades of safety review support its use at typical cosmetic concentrations, with mild irritation the main reported issue in sensitive skin.