Liquid Peptides

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

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

A lightweight humectant and solvent similar in role to propylene glycol, used to carry actives and give lotions a lighter feel. CIR has reviewed it and considers it safe as used in cosmetics.

A peptide lipid that mimics collagen fragments and signals skin cells to increase collagen production while reducing inflammation. Established in anti-aging formulas with a consistent safety record.

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 six-amino-acid peptide attached to palmitic acid that supports skin renewal and collagen production. Part of an established peptide family with consistent safety profiles across cosmetic applications.

A hexapeptide designed to reduce facial muscle contractions by interfering with acetylcholine release. Cosmetic-grade formulations show no systemic absorption at recommended use levels and are well tolerated.

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

A larger, gentler alpha hydroxy acid than glycolic acid, used to exfoliate and to draw in moisture. It can still cause stinging or increased sun sensitivity at higher concentrations, so daytime SPF use is sensible, but it is generally better tolerated than glycolic acid.

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

A glycerin derivative used as a skin conditioner and preservative booster, often paired with phenoxyethanol to allow lower total preservative levels. It has a low irritation and sensitization profile in safety reviews.

A widely used emulsifier and solubilizer that has been in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals for decades. The CIR has assessed it as safe with no known concerns at typical cosmetic concentrations. As with any surfactant, some people with very sensitive skin may experience mild irritation.

Caprylyl glycol is a plant-derived humectant that also has mild antimicrobial properties, so it is commonly paired with other preservatives to allow lower overall preservative levels. Available data do not point to meaningful irritation or sensitization concerns at typical use levels.

Used in tiny amounts to set a product to skin-friendly pH. No concern at those levels.

Carbomer is a synthetic polymer used purely to thicken and stabilize gels and lotions, with negligible skin penetration due to its large molecular size. Safety reviews have found low toxicity and minimal irritation potential even in leave-on use.

A widely used, gentle preservative also common in food. It is generally well tolerated, though it can occasionally cause mild, transient irritation in people with already-compromised or very reactive skin.

The sodium salt of benzoic acid, used as a preservative in both foods and cosmetics. Decades of safety review support its use at typical cosmetic concentrations, with mild irritation the main reported issue in sensitive skin.

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

Xanthan gum is a microbial-fermentation-derived polysaccharide used to thicken and stabilize textures, similarly common in food. Cosmetic panel review of this and related microbial gums found them safe as used, with no meaningful irritation signal at typical concentrations.