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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.

An emulsifier made from cetyl alcohol and phosphoric acid, used to create stable creams with light conditioning properties. Well tolerated in finished products at cosmetic concentrations.

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 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.

A natural, water-soluble polysaccharide gum harvested from the acacia tree, used to thicken and stabilize cosmetic formulations. It has a long history of safe use in personal care products. Very rare contact allergies or sensitivities have been reported in sensitized individuals.

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

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

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 wax ester derived from jojoba oil that closely resembles the skin's own sebum esters, used to soften and smooth skin. Available safety data has not flagged meaningful irritation or sensitization risk at cosmetic use levels.

Hydrogenated Palm Oil is palm oil treated with hydrogen to make it more solid and stable, used as a rich emollient in balms, lipsticks, and creams. CIR's review of palm oil derivatives found no ocular or skin irritation in use testing, noted that fetal effects seen with crude palm oil in animal studies were tied to contaminants rather than the oil itself, and recommended cosmetic grade material be kept low in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination as a precaution.

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 widely used preservative, safe at the legal limit of 1% or less. Often the "paraben-free" replacement.

A nonionic emulsifier from the same family as Steareth-2, used to hold oil and water phases together in lotions and roll-on antiperspirants. Well tolerated in rinse-off and leave-on formulas. Approved for cosmetic use.

PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone is a silicone modified with polyethylene and polypropylene glycol chains, which lets it act as a co-emulsifier that holds water droplets inside a silicone base, useful for long-wearing liquid foundations and other water-in-silicone formulas. CIR's expert panel reviewed dimethicone copolyols as a group and concluded this ingredient is safe as used up to 10%.

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.

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

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

A chelating agent that binds trace metal ions to keep formulas stable and preservatives working properly. It is not a functional skincare "active" and only a very small amount is used, with minimal skin penetration expected.