Voluminous Original Washable Mascara

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

A highly refined, inert petroleum-derived emollient that has been used in cosmetics and skincare for over a century. It creates a protective moisture barrier on the skin and is well tolerated by the vast majority of users, with minimal risk of irritation or sensitization.

A lightweight, volatile silicone that gives serums and primers their silky slip and quick-evaporating finish. Human safety data are reassuring; the EU restriction on this ingredient in rinse-off products is about environmental persistence in waterways, not skin safety.

A naturally occurring fatty acid (also made in the body and found in many foods) used to thicken lotions and help stabilize cleansing bars. It is one of the most well-studied emollient ingredients and is not a meaningful irritant at cosmetic use levels.

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 pH buffer that neutralizes acidic ingredients to maintain a skin-compatible formulation pH. Decades of safety data and modern manufacturing practices support its use at cosmetic concentrations.

A plant-derived wax from carnauba palm leaves, widely used in cosmetics to provide texture and protective film-forming properties. Extensively documented as safe for topical use.

Dimethiconol is a silicone emollient closely related to dimethicone, used to add slip and a smooth finish to creams and serums. It shares dimethicone's long-standing safety record and is considered non-sensitizing and non-comedogenic in typical use.

A cellulose derivative used to thicken and stabilize formulas. It dissolves fully in water and does not separate or settle over time. It is well tolerated and widely used in gels, lotions, and serums.

A soothing humectant that helps skin and hair look conditioned. Very well tolerated.

A formaldehyde-releasing preservative used to extend shelf life. It is one of the more frequently reported contact-allergy triggers among preservatives, so people with sensitive or eczema-prone skin, or a known formaldehyde allergy, may want to patch test or avoid it.

A preservative that keeps products free of mold and bacteria. Reviewed repeatedly and considered safe at the low levels used.

A glycol-based humectant and solvent widely used in rinse-off and leave-on cosmetics. Published safety assessments find it well tolerated at the concentrations used in cosmetic formulations.

A member of the paraben family used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics. Like methylparaben, it has been reviewed extensively and found safe at the concentrations used in leave-on and rinse-off products.

A silicone that gives a smooth, soft feel and helps hold water in the skin. Inert and well studied.

A polymer of quaternary ammonium compounds widely used as a conditioning and antistatic agent in hair products. It is well established in cosmetic formulations with a strong safety record in rinse-off applications.