Properly Clean

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

A coconut oil-derived amphoteric surfactant. Mild and gentle enough to be used in baby washes and sensitive-skin products, well-tolerated by most skin types.

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

A sugar-derived, biodegradable cleansing surfactant made from coconut/palm fatty alcohol and glucose; it is markedly gentler than sulfates and is the workhorse of "sensitive skin" or fragrance-free cleansers. CIR reviewed it with other alkyl glucosides and found it safe as used when the finished product is formulated to be non-irritating.

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 mild amino acid-derived surfactant from coconut oil and glutamic acid, similar to its disodium counterpart. Valued in gentle facial and body cleansers for its low irritation potential.

Dehydroacetic acid is a preservative regulated under the EU preservative annex with a set maximum concentration. Sensitization appears to be rare, though occasional contact dermatitis case reports exist, so people with reactive skin 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.

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

A natural source of salicylates, traditionally used for gentle chemical exfoliation and inflammation support. It delivers BHA-like activity through natural compounds and is generally well tolerated. People with salicylate sensitivity should exercise caution, and it may cause mild irritation in very sensitive skin.

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.