Curl Maker Hair Defining Gel

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

A natural polysaccharide extracted from fruit cell walls, used as a gentle thickener and texture builder in cosmetics. No known adverse reactions in topical cosmetic applications.

A rich, solid-at-room-temperature oil that deeply softens dry skin and hair. It is well tolerated overall, but its high lauric acid content is considered comedogenic by many dermatologists, so it can trigger breakouts in people who are acne-prone.

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.

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

A plant-derived emollient oil rich in ricinoleic acid, used in skincare for decades. Contact allergy has been reported but is uncommon relative to how widely it is used in leave-on products.

A silica-rich botanical extract traditionally used in skincare formulations for its potential antioxidant and mineralizing properties. Limited clinical data are available; use caution if you have a sensitivity to plant extracts.

A botanical extract from stinging nettle leaves with reported mineral and phytonutrient content. While used historically in skincare, published safety or efficacy data for cosmetic use are limited; patch test if you have known sensitivities to plant extracts.

Xanthan gum is a microbial-fermentation-derived polysaccharide used to thicken and stabilize textures, similarly common in food. Cosmetic panel review of this and related microbial gums found them safe as used, with no meaningful irritation signal at typical concentrations.

A seaweed-derived extract used to thicken and hydrate cosmetic formulas. It is well tolerated and has a long history of use in both skincare and food products.

A widely used emulsifier and solubilizer that has been in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals for decades. The CIR has assessed it as safe with no known concerns at typical cosmetic concentrations. As with any surfactant, some people with very sensitive skin may experience mild irritation.

A more stable, esterified form of vitamin E used as an antioxidant and skin-conditioning ingredient. It is a different substance from the vitamin E acetate implicated in vaping-related lung injury, which involved inhaling the oil, not applying it topically to skin.

Vitamin B12 used in cosmetics for its purported skin-conditioning and nutritional benefits. It is established as safe for topical use with no known hazards or sensitization concerns at concentrations typically used in skincare.

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

Caprylyl glycol is a plant-derived humectant that also has mild antimicrobial properties, so it is commonly paired with other preservatives to allow lower overall preservative levels. Available data do not point to meaningful irritation or sensitization concerns at typical use levels.