Fructis Hair Food Banana Hair Mask

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 cationic conditioning agent used in rinse-off products like shampoos and conditioners to provide softness and detangling. Generally well tolerated but can cause irritation at high concentrations in some individuals.

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 mixture of waxes derived from cetyl alcohol and fatty acids, used to thicken and condition cosmetic formulas. Established safety profile from decades of use in personal care products.

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 nutrient-rich carrier oil from soybean seeds containing linoleic and linolenic acids essential for barrier function. Phytoestrogen content is present but not absorbed systemically from topical application, graded low concern by regulatory assessments.

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

A plant-derived emollient and emulsifier made from glycerin and oleic acid, typically from olives or canola. Softens skin while stabilizing oil-water formulas; well tolerated at typical use levels.

A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative that the skin converts to active vitamin C, popular for brightening with less irritation than pure ascorbic acid. It is well tolerated and graded low concern in published assessments.

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.

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

A larger, gentler alpha hydroxy acid than glycolic acid, used to exfoliate and to draw in moisture. It can still cause stinging or increased sun sensitivity at higher concentrations, so daytime SPF use is sensible, but it is generally better tolerated than glycolic acid.

A naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) from grapes, used for gentle exfoliation and pH adjustment. At exfoliating concentrations and low pH, it can irritate sensitive skin. More research exists on glycolic and lactic acids; use with caution if you react to other AHAs.

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

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.

A beta hydroxy acid used to smooth texture and clear pores. Safe at cosmetic levels; can be mildly irritating if overused.

A brown colorant made by heating sugars, used to add color to cosmetics. It is FDA-approved and well established in food and cosmetics with a long history of safe use.

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

A spicy, clove-derived fragrance and flavor compound. It is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens because it can trigger contact allergy in sensitized individuals, though CIR review found it safe as typically used in cosmetics.

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 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.

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.