Light Reflecting Foundation

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

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.

Undecane is a straight-chain hydrocarbon (an alkane) used as a lightweight, fast-spreading emollient and solvent, often paired with tridecane as a silicone alternative in modern formulas. It has not been reviewed under its own name, but CIR's assessment of the closely related isoparaffin and hydrocarbon solvent group, across a wide concentration range, did not turn up genotoxicity, reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenicity concerns.

Tridecane is a straight-chain hydrocarbon (an alkane) almost always used alongside undecane as a light, quick-absorbing emollient and silicone substitute. As with undecane, it has not been reviewed individually, but it sits in the same simple-hydrocarbon family CIR has assessed without flagging genotoxicity, reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenicity concerns across the concentrations tested.

A synthetic ester used as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent in cosmetic formulations. Established safety profile in cosmetic use at typical concentrations.

A synthetic emollient with properties similar to silicones, used for a smooth skin feel. Inert and not absorbed through intact skin, with no documented safety concerns in cosmetic formulations.

A polyol ester emulsifier that stabilizes water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions with minimal irritation. Like other polyglyceryl esters, it is valued for its mildness and is used across a range of skincare and color cosmetics.

A quaternized clay mineral used to thicken and suspend products. CIR found it safe as used, though the mineral base means trace amounts of inhalable silica particles exist if the powder form is aerosolized. It is well tolerated in leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics when formulated properly.

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

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

A chemically produced wax derived from petroleum refining, used to add texture, viscosity, and occlusive properties to formulations. It is an inert ingredient with a long history of safe use in cosmetics and is well documented as non-toxic and non-irritating.

Ordinary salt, used in surfactant-based products like shampoos and body washes to adjust viscosity by interacting with the surfactant micelles. It has no meaningful toxicity concern at cosmetic use levels; the main practical downside is that too much can make a formula feel less mild.

A traditional East Asian botanical extract used in cosmetics for hydrating and claimed soothing properties. Limited modern cosmetic safety data exists, but it has a long history of topical use and no documented safety concerns have emerged in the available literature.

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.

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.

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.

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

A light coconut-derived emollient ester used as a natural-feeling alternative to silicones, giving a dry, velvety finish. It is well tolerated and graded low concern in published assessments.

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.

Pentylene glycol is a humectant and solvent that also offers mild antimicrobial support in formulas. It is generally well tolerated, with only rare reports of irritation, mostly in already sensitive or compromised skin.

A fat-soluble vitamin C ester that provides antioxidant activity on skin. It is more stable than free ascorbic acid and is graded low concern in published assessments, with rare reports of sensitization at high concentrations.

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

Mineral-rich saltwater from the ocean, used as a humectant and source of trace minerals in skincare. Sea water is straightforward in composition and well tolerated, though its salt content may require buffering for sensitive skin.

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.

Barium sulfate is a white, insoluble mineral pigment (CI 77120) used as an opacifier and colorant in makeup and other cosmetics. CIR's expert panel reviewed its safety, drawing on its long history of safe use as a medical imaging contrast agent, and concluded it's safe as used at up to 37% in leave-on products and 0.99% in rinse-off products, while noting that formulas should be kept nonirritating since sulfate salts in general have irritation potential.

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.

Chlorphenesin is a preservative subject to an EU maximum concentration limit and has been linked to contact dermatitis in a minority of users, particularly with repeated exposure. Most people tolerate it at the regulated use level without issue.

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

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.