Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25

A mineral UV filter that sits on the skin surface and reflects and scatters UV light. It is one of the best-studied sunscreen actives and is generally considered non-irritating and safe for use, including on sensitive skin.

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

A fatty alcohol emollient that softens and conditions skin. The CIR Expert Panel concluded it is safe as used in cosmetics, with this determination originally made in 1985 and reaffirmed in 2006.

Undecane is a straight-chain hydrocarbon (an alkane) used as a lightweight, fast-spreading emollient and solvent, often paired with tridecane as a silicone alternative in modern formulas. It has not been reviewed under its own name, but CIR's assessment of the closely related isoparaffin and hydrocarbon solvent group, across a wide concentration range, did not turn up genotoxicity, reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenicity concerns.

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

A naturally occurring mineral silicate that adds shimmer and light-diffusing properties to cosmetics. Cosmetic-grade mica is well tolerated and should be free of asbestos and talc contamination.

Calcium sodium borosilicate is a milled borosilicate glass used as sparkling flakes or platelets that add glitter and light-catching shimmer to eyeshadow, highlighter, and other color cosmetics. CIR's expert panel reviewed data on this and related borosilicate glasses, including patch and eye-irritation testing, and concluded the ingredient is safe as used, with heavy-metal impurities like lead, arsenic, and mercury held to trace, low-parts-per-million specifications.

A lightweight, odorless emollient made by combining coconut or palm-derived fatty acids with glycerin. It spreads easily, feels non-greasy, and has a long history of use in skin and hair products with no meaningful irritation or sensitization signal.

A form of vitamin B3 used to support a more even-looking tone and a comfortable barrier. Well tolerated at cosmetic levels.

A polyol ester emulsifier that stabilizes water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions with minimal irritation. Like other polyglyceryl esters, it is valued for its mildness and is used across a range of skincare and color cosmetics.

Galactoarabinan is a polysaccharide pulled from larch tree wood, used to form a light, breathable film that helps skin hold onto moisture and gives serums and primers better spreadability. It was reviewed by CIR as part of a larger group of plant polysaccharide gums, where reproductive and developmental toxicity data across the group came back essentially negative, and it was found safe as used.

Tridecane is a straight-chain hydrocarbon (an alkane) almost always used alongside undecane as a light, quick-absorbing emollient and silicone substitute. As with undecane, it has not been reviewed individually, but it sits in the same simple-hydrocarbon family CIR has assessed without flagging genotoxicity, reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenicity concerns across the concentrations tested.

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.

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

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

A signal peptide attached to palmitic acid that activates collagen synthesis in skin cells. Well tolerated across skin types with no significant safety concerns in cosmetic use.

A soothing humectant that helps skin and hair look conditioned. Very 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 natural alkaloid and studied active ingredient in skincare, valued for its antioxidant properties and potential to promote local circulation and reduce puffiness. Topical application results in minimal systemic absorption, graded low concern in regulatory assessments.

A gentle humectant derived from glucose. It draws water to the skin and is mild enough for sensitive skin types. Widely used in cosmetics without reported safety concerns.

A stearic acid derivative used to thicken and stabilize formulations while providing mild emollient properties. Graded low concern with no documented sensitization or safety issues.

A starch derivative used in cosmetics to thicken formulations and improve texture. It has been used safely in food and cosmetics for decades and shows low irritation potential across rinse-off and leave-on products.

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 phospholipid emulsifier from soy or sunflower that binds water and oil and helps other ingredients absorb. It is a natural component of skin membranes, well tolerated, and reviewed as safe as used; a soy-derived grade is not a meaningful concern for a soy food allergy because the protein is largely absent.

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

A fragrance component with a mild rose and honey scent, widely used in cosmetics and personal care products. Most people tolerate it without issue, though patch-test studies indicate a minority of individuals with fragrance sensitivities may react to it.

A mineral UV filter and white pigment used in sunscreens and makeup. It sits on the skin surface rather than being absorbed, and major regulators consider it safe for topical cosmetic use.

Mineral pigments used to add color to cosmetics. Iron oxides are FDA-approved colorants with a well-established safety record in cosmetic formulations.