Baby Lips Electro Strike a Rose

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 The CIR Expert Panel concluded it is safe as used in cosmetics, with this determination originally made in 1985 and reaffirmed in 2006.

A synthetic polymer that functions as a lightweight occlusive emollient, providing slip and smoothness to formulations. It is an inert ingredient with no reported sensitization or irritation concerns and is widely used in cosmetic and personal care products.

A time-tested occlusive that seals in moisture and helps damaged skin heal, widely used in dermatology for wound care. Cosmetic-grade petrolatum must meet purity standards that remove the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in crude sources, and it is considered one of the most effective and well-studied barrier ingredients available.

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 synthetic polymer used as a gentle exfoliant in scrubs and peeling products. It is an inert, non-biodegradable microparticle with no known skin irritation or sensitization potential when used topically in cosmetic formulations.

A naturally derived fossil wax used to provide texture and moisture retention in cosmetics. Long history of use with no documented safety concerns in standard formulations.

A diester formed from malic acid and isostearyl alcohol. It conditions and smooths skin with no known safety issues in cosmetic use.

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 plant-derived wax extracted from the Euphorbia cerifera shrub native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It provides emollient and thickening benefits and has a long history of traditional use with no documented sensitization or irritation concerns at typical cosmetic concentrations.

VP/Hexadecene Copolymer combines a petroleum derived hydrocarbon with vinylpyrrolidone to form a thin, glossy film that helps waterproof mascara, foundation, and long wear makeup grip skin and lashes. CIR reviewed it with the broader vinylpyrrolidone polymer group, and patch testing on a product with nearly 15% of the ingredient produced no skin reactions in 50 subjects, with no eye irritation reported in a separate eye shadow test.

An inert mineral oxide used as a filler and opacifying agent in color cosmetics. It is an FDA-approved colorant with a well-established safety record in cosmetic formulations.

A citrus-scented fragrance component. Fine for most, but it oxidizes over time into a known contact allergen, so it must be labelled in the EU.

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 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.

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

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.

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 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 natural humectant and emollient derived from bee activity, prized for hydrating and soothing properties in skin care. Widely used with a low incidence of adverse reactions, though those with bee pollen sensitivity may experience contact reactions.

A plant extract long used in traditional wound care and now common in "cica" soothing products, valued for calming redness and supporting the skin barrier. It is generally well tolerated, with rare contact allergy reported.

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

A natural fragrance component found in citrus oils and lemongrass, giving a lemony scent. It is a named EU fragrance allergen that can oxidize into potent contact allergens over time; people with known fragrance sensitivities may react.

A fragrance fixative and solvent found naturally in balsams and used to help scents last longer. It is one of the 26 EU-designated fragrance allergens, with documented but uncommon contact sensitization.

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.

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 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.

An inert mineral powder used as a filler and white base for color cosmetics. It is not the same as the antiperspirant aluminum compounds that trigger health concerns. Well tolerated and FDA-approved for cosmetic use.

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

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.