Sunprise Mild Watery Light

A lightweight emollient used in cosmetics and sunscreens to give a smooth texture. Inert and well tolerated.

A corn-derived solvent and humectant that has largely replaced propylene glycol in "clean" formulas; CIR reviewed the alkane diol group and found use concentrations up to about 40 percent in leave-on products like deodorant sticks with no meaningful irritation signal.

An organic UVB filter approved in the EU and widely used in Korean and Japanese sunscreens at up to 5 percent. It is highly photostable and shows low skin penetration in the reviewed data. It is not on the FDA-approved UV filter list, so US-formulated sunscreens do not use it; that is a regulatory-process gap rather than a documented safety finding against the ingredient.

A mild emulsifier derived from plant glycerin and stearic acid that is widely used in natural and clean formulations. Published assessments show it to be well tolerated with no known safety concerns at cosmetic use levels.

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

A buffering agent used in tiny amounts to set a product's pH, most often alongside gel-forming polymers. It is graded low concern in published assessments at the levels used.

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 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.

Pentylene glycol is a humectant and solvent that also offers mild antimicrobial support in formulas. It is generally well tolerated, with only rare reports of irritation, mostly in already sensitive or compromised skin.

A modern UVA sunscreen filter widely used in Europe and Asia, valued for photostability and low skin penetration. It is not yet approved as a sunscreen active in the United States, which reflects a slower regulatory pathway rather than a specific safety finding against it.

A light silicone emollient that spreads easily and gives a dry, non-greasy finish, common in Korean sunscreens and primers. It stays on the skin surface and is graded low concern in published assessments.

A silicone-based UV filter that provides broad-spectrum protection. Approved in cosmetics and graded safe; the silicone backbone makes it stable and non-irritating.

A silicone-based powder used to improve texture and slip in formulas. It is lightweight, absorbs excess moisture, and provides smooth application. Well studied in cosmetics with no skin safety concerns.

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 broad-spectrum organic UV filter used widely in European and international sunscreens. Approved by the EU and other regulators as safe at cosmetic levels.

A small glycol used as a solvent and to boost the absorption of actives, and to help preservatives work at lower levels. It is well tolerated and graded low concern in published assessments.

A synthetic polymer used to thicken and stabilize water-based formulas like gels and serums. It provides texture and suspension of particles without interfering with skin feel. Well established in cosmetics.

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 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 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.

A linoleic-acid-rich plant oil used as an emollient and, in some small pediatric studies, associated with support of the skin barrier when applied to infant skin. It is well tolerated with a low reported rate of contact reactions.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.