African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo

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

Another sugar-and-fatty-alcohol derived non-ionic surfactant, structurally close to coco-glucoside but made from a shorter (decyl, C10) fatty chain. It is a gentle cleanser generally well tolerated, though a small number of contact-allergy case reports exist, mostly in people with pre-existing skin conditions.

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

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 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.

A rich, solid-at-room-temperature butter extracted from cocoa seeds, valued for its intense emollient and conditioning properties. While generally well tolerated, it carries a higher likelihood of comedogenicity, so people with acne-prone skin may want to opt for lighter alternatives.

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

An extract from turmeric root valued for its antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties. It is well tolerated at cosmetic levels, though some sources note rare phototoxicity potential; formulation practices mitigate this.

Tea tree oil is used for its antimicrobial reputation in blemish-focused products, but it is a genuine, well-documented contact sensitizer, and its allergy potential rises sharply once the oil has oxidized from air exposure. Fresh, well-preserved, low-concentration formulations are much lower risk than old or improperly stored oil.

An essential oil rich in menthol and other terpenes. It adds a cooling, fresh note to products but is a known skin irritant and contact allergen, especially in leave-on products or for people with sensitive or inflamed skin. The oil oxidizes over time, increasing allergenicity.

Lavender essential oil naturally contains linalool, geraniol, and coumarin, several of the recognized fragrance allergen constituents, so it can trigger contact reactions in fragrance-sensitive users even though it is a "natural" ingredient. It is not a general hazard for most people, but those with a known fragrance allergy should treat it like any other essential oil.

An aromatic plant extract rich in natural antioxidants, valued in skincare formulations for its protective properties. Published cosmetic assessments indicate it is generally well tolerated, though the botanical origin means some sensitive individuals may react.