Flower Harmonizing Cream

A hydrosol from damascena rose flowers, used as a skin toner and fragrance. Rose can trigger allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, though the hydrosol form is generally well tolerated. People with a history of plant sensitivities should patch test.

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

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

An ester that combines cetyl alcohol with ethylhexanoic acid, serving as an emollient. It softens skin and is well tolerated in cosmetics.

A common emulsifier and texture-softener made from glycerin and stearic acid. CIR review of this class found no evidence of reproductive, carcinogenic, sensitizing, or phototoxic effects in the studies examined.

A light coconut-derived emollient ester used as a natural-feeling alternative to silicones, giving a dry, velvety finish. It is well tolerated and graded low concern in published assessments.

A fatty alcohol used to soften skin and stabilize creams. Despite the name, it does not dry the skin.

A rheology modifier that thickens gels and serums while maintaining a lightweight, non-sticky feel. Provides suspension and stability in water-based formulas. Widely used and well tolerated.

A PEG-based emulsifier that blends oils and water in formulas. It is a workhorse ingredient in stable emulsions and is approved for cosmetic use. Well tolerated.

A stable, saturated version of squalene, a lipid the skin already produces, now usually sourced from olives or sugarcane instead of shark liver. It is very well tolerated across skin types and helps reinforce the skin barrier.

A naturally derived humectant made from fermented plant sugars that draws water into the skin. It is well tolerated in cosmetics and is used to support hydration and skin softness.

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 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.

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.

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.

A synthetic surfactant widely used to emulsify oils and water in cosmetics. It is well tolerated and has been used safely in cosmetic formulations for decades.

Farnesol is a natural fragrance and mild antimicrobial found in essential oils, and it is one of the EU-listed allergens requiring label disclosure. It has moderate documented sensitization potential, more so with repeated or prolonged exposure.

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

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.

A strong alkali used in tiny amounts to adjust the pH of cosmetics to safe, skin-friendly levels. At the pH found in finished products, sodium hydroxide is neutralized and well tolerated.

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

A synthetic gelling and stabilizing polymer that gives lotions and gels their smooth, cushiony texture. The large molecule stays on the skin surface rather than penetrating, and it is graded low concern in published assessments.

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

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.

Lavender essential oil naturally contains linalool, geraniol, and coumarin, several of the recognized fragrance allergen constituents, so it can trigger contact reactions in fragrance-sensitive users even though it is a "natural" ingredient. It is not a general hazard for most people, but those with a known fragrance allergy should treat it like any other essential oil.

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

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.

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

A naturally occurring acid used to preserve and adjust pH in cosmetic formulas. It is generally recognized as safe at cosmetic use levels, with mild irritation possible on broken or very sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

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 most well-studied form of topical vitamin C, used as an antioxidant and to support collagen signaling and brighten uneven tone. It is acidic and can sting or irritate sensitive skin, and it oxidizes readily once a bottle is opened, which can reduce its effectiveness rather than create a safety issue.

A rose-scented fragrance ingredient found naturally in geranium and rose oil. It is one of the 26 fragrance allergens the EU requires to be labeled by name because a minority of people develop skin sensitization to it, though most users tolerate it without issue.

A floral, rose-like fragrance compound found in many essential oils. It is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens, meaning a documented minority of people can develop contact sensitization, so brands must disclose it above set thresholds.

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