Vitamin C Serum

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

This is a stable, water-soluble derivative of vitamin C that converts to ascorbic acid in skin and is used for antioxidant and brightening support. It is generally better tolerated than plain ascorbic acid and has a low reported rate of irritation in formulation testing.

A naturally derived humectant made from fermented plant sugars that draws water into the skin. It is well tolerated in cosmetics and is used to support hydration and skin softness.

A protein fragment from rice that helps bind water and strengthen hair. It is mild and well tolerated, making it a suitable option for those seeking a plant-derived protein conditioner without the allergen concerns of wheat or other grain proteins.

Retinyl palmitate is an ester of vitamin A used in moisturizers and some sunscreens for mild anti-aging and antioxidant support. Long-term panel reviews of the ingredient have generally found it safe as used, with irritation potential similar to other mild retinoids at typical cosmetic concentrations.

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.

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

A salt derived from citric acid that buffers pH and prevents metal oxidation in formulas. Widely used in food and cosmetics, it is well tolerated at cosmetic concentrations.

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 gentle, sugar-derived surfactant that is milder than sulfates and works through natural emulsification without the irritation profile of harsher cleansers. It is well-established in rinse-off and leave-on formulations.

A mild amino acid-derived surfactant from coconut oil and glutamic acid, similar to its disodium counterpart. Valued in gentle facial and body cleansers for its low irritation potential.

A plant-derived emollient and preservative formed from glycerin and caprylic acid (coconut) that helps retain moisture and supports formula stability through mild antimicrobial activity.

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

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 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.

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, 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.

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.

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