Lait-Crème Concentré

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

A highly refined, purified oil that forms a light protective layer to slow water loss from skin. Cosmetic-grade mineral oil goes through purification steps that remove the contaminants associated with crude petroleum, and CIR has found it safe as used.

A naturally occurring fatty acid (also made in the body and found in many foods) used to thicken lotions and help stabilize cleansing bars. It is one of the most well-studied emollient ingredients and is not a meaningful irritant at cosmetic use levels.

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 pH buffer that neutralizes acidic ingredients to maintain a skin-compatible formulation pH. Decades of safety data and modern manufacturing practices support its use at cosmetic concentrations.

A natural wax secreted by honeybees, used as an emollient and texture builder in balms and salves. It is generally well tolerated. People with bee or pollen allergies should patch test, as rare sensitization has been documented.

An ester formed from cetyl alcohol and palmitic acid, used to soften and smooth skin. It is well tolerated with a very low reported incidence of sensitization in the cosmetic ingredient literature.

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 nonionic emulsifier from the same family as Steareth-2, used to hold oil and water phases together in lotions and roll-on antiperspirants. Well tolerated in rinse-off and leave-on formulas. Approved for cosmetic use.

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 plant-derived protein hydrolyzate that functions as a humectant and skin conditioning agent. While generally well tolerated, those with soy sensitivities or allergies should be cautious, as protein hydrolyzates may retain antigenic properties.

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 polymer used to thicken gels and creams. The CIR panel confirmed it is safe as used in cosmetics. Rarely, contact sensitization has been reported in people with existing dermatitis, though the monomer residual content in cosmetic-grade material is tightly controlled.

A hydrocarbon solvent derived from mineral oil, used to thin formulas and help ingredients blend. CIR has determined it is safe as used. It is inert, does not penetrate skin meaningfully, and rinses off or evaporates completely.

A polyethylene glycol ether of lauryl alcohol, used as a mild surfactant and emulsifier in cleansers and other rinse-off products. CIR assessments support the safety of laureth surfactants in cosmetics, and they are often chosen for their mildness.