Colour Riche Satin Lipstick

A plant-derived emollient high in linoleic acid, used to support the skin barrier. Generally well tolerated, though some formulators note mild comedogenic potential in heavier occluded applications.

A refined cellulose derivative processed from plant sources, used as a thickener and texturizing agent in cosmetics. It is an inert polysaccharide with no known sensitization or irritation potential and is widely used in personal care and pharmaceutical formulations.

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.

A quaternized clay mineral used to thicken and suspend products. CIR found it safe as used, though the mineral base means trace amounts of inhalable silica particles exist if the powder form is aerosolized. It is well tolerated in leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics when formulated properly.

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 more stable, esterified form of vitamin E used as an antioxidant and skin-conditioning ingredient. It is a different substance from the vitamin E acetate implicated in vaping-related lung injury, which involved inhaling the oil, not applying it topically to skin.

A lightweight botanical oil pressed from rosehip seeds, used to nourish and condition the skin. It is generally well tolerated, though as a botanical extract it may rarely trigger sensitivity in individuals prone to plant allergies.

A synthetic antioxidant approved in the EU and used at low levels to prevent product degradation and extend shelf life. Not absorbed through skin and presents no safety concern in cosmetic formulations.

Synthetic fluorphlogopite is a lab-grown mica look-alike made of layered magnesium aluminum silicate sheets with some fluorine substitution, used as a shimmer and pearlescent base in powders, eyeshadow, and skincare. CIR's expert panel reviewed irritation, sensitization, and genotoxicity data and concluded it's safe as used at reported concentrations up to 67%.

A fatty-acid and tocopherol-rich plant oil used as a hair and skin emollient; CIR's review of plant-derived fatty acid oils found no evidence of irritation or sensitization and a long history of safe use in food and cosmetics.

Calcium aluminum borosilicate is another engineered borosilicate glass, milled into fine flakes or microspheres and used the same way as its calcium sodium counterpart: as a sparkle and light-diffusing effect pigment in eyeshadow, highlighter, lip products, and nail polish. CIR reviewed it alongside the other borosilicate glasses and concluded it's safe as used, provided the glass meets standard impurity and particle-size specifications.

A floral, rose-like fragrance compound found in many essential oils. It is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens, meaning a documented minority of people can develop contact sensitization, so brands must disclose it above set thresholds.

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.

A mineral thickener and anti-caking agent widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics to control texture and prevent ingredient separation. CIR has reviewed silica in cosmetic use and found no basis for concern at the levels used topically.

A jasmine-like fragrance compound frequently used in soaps and lotions. It is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens, though studies suggest its sensitization potency is comparatively low relative to other listed allergens.

Hydroxycitronellal is a lily-of-the-valley scented fragrance ingredient on the EU allergen disclosure list. It has well-documented sensitizing potential in patch-test studies, so it is worth checking the label if you have known fragrance sensitivities.

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.

Methyl 2-octynoate is a violet-leaf fragrance ingredient included on the EU allergen disclosure list. Reported sensitization is uncommon and typically occurs at higher use concentrations than are found in most finished products.

A mineral pigment used to add opacity and soft-focus effects in cosmetics. FDA-approved for cosmetic use and graded low concern in published safety assessments.

Polyethylene Terephthalate is the plastic film cut into tiny flecks that makes up most cosmetic glitter, used purely for sparkle in eyeshadow, highlighter, and nail products. The dermal safety data on PET itself is unremarkable, but the EU has classified this kind of non biodegradable plastic glitter as an intentionally added microplastic and is phasing out its sale in cosmetics on a schedule running from 2027 for rinse off products through 2035 for makeup, lip, and nail products, so the concern here is environmental persistence rather than a skin reaction.

A synthetic polymer used to thicken and stabilize cosmetic formulas. The polymer chains are too large to penetrate skin; graded safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review and widely used in rinse-off and leave-on products.

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.