Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo

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

A common foaming cleanser, milder than SLS. Fine for most people in a rinse-off product.

A coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant used to boost foam and mildness in cleansers and shampoos. CIR has reviewed it as safe as used, but it is one of the more established contact-allergy triggers in personal care, usually traced to manufacturing impurities such as amidoamine and dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) rather than the betaine itself. People with a history of eyelid or scalp dermatitis are more likely to react.

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 plant-derived water or extract used mainly as a soothing humectant filler. Evidence for dramatic skin benefits beyond mild hydration and soothing is limited, but it is well tolerated by most people.

An aromatic plant extract rich in natural antioxidants, valued in skincare formulations for its protective properties. Published cosmetic assessments indicate it is generally well tolerated, though the botanical origin means some sensitive individuals may react.

A resinous substance bees make from plant exudates, added to cosmetics for antioxidant and marketed "healing" properties. Contact-allergy reviews put patch-test positivity around 1 to 7 percent in tested dermatitis populations, concentrated in beekeepers and people already sensitized to fragrance or poplar-bud resins, so it is worth patch-testing if you have a history of contact allergies or bee-product sensitivity.

Large, water-binding polysaccharides derived from connective tissue, used to support hydration and skin firmness. They are inert polysaccharides with no known contact allergens or sensitization potential, and their size and chemistry make significant systemic absorption unlikely.

A natural humectant and emollient derived from bee activity, prized for hydrating and soothing properties in skin care. Widely used with a low incidence of adverse reactions, though those with bee pollen sensitivity may experience contact reactions.

An essential oil from damask rose flowers prized for its complex, floral scent. It is a known fragrance allergen because it contains many volatile components that oxidize readily in air; dermatitis patients can react to both the fresh oil and its degradation products.

A fragrant oil extracted from geranium flowers, used for scent and antioxidant benefits. It is a named fragrance allergen in the EU and can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals, particularly in leave-on formulations.

A soothing humectant that helps skin and hair look conditioned. Very well tolerated.

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

A basic amino acid naturally found in skin that draws moisture into the stratum corneum. It is well tolerated in cosmetics at typical concentrations and has been used safely in skincare formulations for decades.

A mild non-ionic cleansing agent made from coconut fatty alcohols and plant sugars (glucose). It is widely used in sulfate-free shampoos and gentle cleansers and is one of the least irritating surfactants in common use.

A plant-derived emollient and emulsifier made from glycerin and oleic acid, typically from olives or canola. Softens skin while stabilizing oil-water formulas; well tolerated at typical use levels.

A gentle humectant derived from glucose. It draws water to the skin and is mild enough for sensitive skin types. Widely used in cosmetics without reported safety concerns.

A polymer of quaternary ammonium compounds widely used as a conditioning and antistatic agent in hair products. It is well established in cosmetic formulations with a strong safety record in rinse-off applications.

Ordinary salt, used in surfactant-based products like shampoos and body washes to adjust viscosity by interacting with the surfactant micelles. It has no meaningful toxicity concern at cosmetic use levels; the main practical downside is that too much can make a formula feel less mild.

Dehydroacetic acid is a preservative regulated under the EU preservative annex with a set maximum concentration. Sensitization appears to be rare, though occasional contact dermatitis case reports exist, so people with reactive skin may want to patch test.

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 common preservative and fragrance/solvent ingredient found naturally in many essential oils. It is well tolerated by most people at the levels used in cosmetics, but it is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens and can trigger reactions in people with an existing sensitivity.

A citrus-scented fragrance component. Fine for most, but it oxidizes over time into a known contact allergen, so it must be labelled in the EU.

A sweet, hay-like fragrance ingredient naturally found in tonka bean and lavender. It is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens and is also subject to an EU maximum concentration limit in finished cosmetic products.

A floral fragrance component and one of the EU-labelled fragrance allergens. Usually fine, worth watching if you react to scented products.