Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream

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

A blend of cetyl and stearyl fatty alcohols used to thicken lotions and soften skin. It is chemically unrelated to drying alcohols like ethanol, and the CIR expert panel has found fatty alcohols safe as used in cosmetics.

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

A rich plant butter pressed from shea tree nuts, valued for softening and cushioning dry skin. It is generally well tolerated, though very rare allergic reactions have been reported and people with tree nut allergies who are cautious may want to patch test first.

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 long-chain quaternary ammonium compound used in rinse-off conditioners and leave-on styling products for conditioning and static control. It is well documented in cosmetic use with a strong safety record.

Cold-pressed oil from olive fruit, valued as a carrier and emollient in skincare formulas. Well tolerated across skin types and delivers fatty acids that support skin barrier integrity.

A film-forming copolymer used to add texture and stability to formulas. Well-tolerated with no documented safety concerns at cosmetic concentrations.

A small humectant and solvent molecule that helps other ingredients dissolve and helps skin hold water. It is one of the most studied cosmetic ingredients and is considered safe at the concentrations used in personal care products.

A synthetic ester used to provide lightweight emollient and conditioning properties in cosmetic formulations. Limited but consistent use history in cosmetics without adverse reports.

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

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.

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.

A chelating agent that binds trace metal ions to keep formulas stable and preservatives working properly. It is not a functional skincare "active" and only a very small amount is used, with minimal skin penetration expected.

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

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

A cellulose derivative used to thicken and stabilize formulas. It dissolves fully in water and does not separate or settle over time. It is well tolerated and widely used in gels, lotions, and serums.

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

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 positively charged conditioning polymer used in shampoos and conditioners to reduce frizz and improve manageability. It is well tolerated and has been safely used in cosmetics for decades.

Collagen protein hydrolyzed into smaller peptide fragments used in skincare formulations. It is graded low concern, with very rare reports of sensitization. Those with severe shellfish allergies may want to verify sourcing.

A protein fragment that draws water into the hair shaft and is used to strengthen and add body. People with wheat sensitivity or protein allergies should patch-test first, as protein hydrolysates can trigger reactions in those with known sensitivities.

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.

Rosemary extract is widely used at low levels as a natural antioxidant to help stabilize oils and extend product shelf life, in addition to appearing as an active botanical in some formulas. It is generally well tolerated, with occasional mild contact reactions reported, mostly at higher leave-on concentrations.

A metabolite produced through fermentation of milk by Lactobacillus bacteria, valued in skincare for humectant and antioxidant properties. It is documented in cosmetic formulations as well tolerated, though people sensitive to fermentation byproducts or lactic acid may want to patch test.

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 widely used, gentle preservative also common in food. It is generally well tolerated, though it can occasionally cause mild, transient irritation in people with already-compromised or very reactive skin.

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.

An antioxidant and preservative salt that prevents oxidation and microbial growth in formulations. It is well tolerated for most users, though people with sulfite sensitivity should avoid it; those without documented sulfite intolerance can use products containing it without concern.

Benzyl salicylate is a fragrance fixative that also absorbs some UV light. It is on the EU allergen disclosure list, but the evidence suggests it sensitizes fewer people than most other listed fragrance allergens.

A natural fragrance component found in citrus oils and lemongrass, giving a lemony scent. It is a named EU fragrance allergen that can oxidize into potent contact allergens over time; people with known fragrance sensitivities may react.

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 jasmine-like fragrance compound frequently used in soaps and lotions. It is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens, though studies suggest its sensitization potency is comparatively low relative to other listed allergens.

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