Mandelic Acid Gentle Exfoliating Toner

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

Mandelic acid is a larger-molecule alpha hydroxy acid that tends to penetrate skin more slowly than glycolic acid, which is generally associated with less stinging and redness. It carries the same general AHA cautions around sun sensitivity but is often better tolerated by reactive skin.

A lightweight humectant and solvent similar in role to propylene glycol, used to carry actives and give lotions a lighter feel. CIR has reviewed it and considers it safe as used in cosmetics.

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

A soothing plant extract traditionally used in skincare, valued for its potential anti-inflammatory properties. Published assessments note it is generally well tolerated in cosmetic formulations, though people with sensitivities to botanicals may want to patch test.

A plant extract long used in traditional wound care and now common in "cica" soothing products, valued for calming redness and supporting the skin barrier. It is generally well tolerated, with rare contact allergy reported.

A leaf extract long used in Korean and Chinese folk medicine and popularized in K-beauty as "heartleaf." Small in-vitro and cell-culture studies suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but there is little rigorous human clinical trial data isolating the extract itself, so soothing claims should be read as plausible rather than proven.

A humectant sugar alcohol that draws water into the skin. It is well tolerated and widely used in skincare and food. Not known to cause concern at the concentrations used in cosmetics.

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

A polysaccharide extracted from yeast cell walls or oat bran. Used for hydration and skin conditioning, beta-glucan is well tolerated with emerging evidence for supporting skin barrier function. No safety concerns flagged in cosmetic use.

Chlorphenesin is a preservative subject to an EU maximum concentration limit and has been linked to contact dermatitis in a minority of users, particularly with repeated exposure. Most people tolerate it at the regulated use level without issue.

A glycol used very widely in Korean and Western skincare as a lightweight humectant, solvent, and gentle preservative-booster, often in place of traditional preservatives. It has a low reported irritation rate at use levels and is graded low concern in published assessments.

A glycerin derivative used as a skin conditioner and preservative booster, often paired with phenoxyethanol to allow lower total preservative levels. It has a low irritation and sensitization profile in safety reviews.

Carbomer is a synthetic polymer used purely to thicken and stabilize gels and lotions, with negligible skin penetration due to its large molecular size. Safety reviews have found low toxicity and minimal irritation potential even in leave-on use.

A humectant that holds water at the skin surface for a more hydrated look. No safety concern.