No.9 NAD+ BIO Lifting-sil Essence

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 saturated hydrocarbon emollient that softens skin and gives products a smooth glide. Its saturated structure makes it stable and well tolerated. It is inert and carries a low sensitization risk at typical cosmetic use levels.

A humectant derived from glycerin, used to attract and retain moisture in cosmetic formulas. Evidence from cosmetic use indicates it is well-tolerated and produces minimal sensitization even on sensitive skin.

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 multi-ester emollient created from pentaerythritol and ethylhexanoic acid. It provides silky texture and skin conditioning with no documented safety concerns at cosmetic concentrations.

A corn-derived solvent and humectant that has largely replaced propylene glycol in "clean" formulas; CIR reviewed the alkane diol group and found use concentrations up to about 40 percent in leave-on products like deodorant sticks with no meaningful irritation signal.

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

A form of vitamin B3 used to support a more even-looking tone and a comfortable barrier. Well tolerated at cosmetic levels.

A small glycol used as a solvent and to boost the absorption of actives, and to help preservatives work at lower levels. It is well tolerated and graded low concern in published assessments.

A blend of cetyl and stearyl fatty alcohols used to thicken lotions and soften skin. It is chemically unrelated to drying alcohols like ethanol, and the CIR expert panel has found fatty alcohols safe as used in cosmetics.

A common emulsifier and texture-softener made from glycerin and stearic acid. CIR review of this class found no evidence of reproductive, carcinogenic, sensitizing, or phototoxic effects in the studies examined.

A vegetable oil that has been hydrogenated to create a stable, solid texture. Used in cosmetics for emollient and conditioning properties with extensive history of safe use.

A plant-derived emulsifier made from glycerin, glucose, and stearic acid that helps blend oil and water phases. It is graded low concern in published cosmetic ingredient assessments and is well tolerated in both rinse-off and leave-on formulas.

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 crosslinked silicone polymer that creates a velvety texture in primers and powders. The crosslinked structure does not change its safety profile, and it is inert and well tolerated.

A synthetic polymer used to thicken and stabilize water-based formulas like gels and serums. It provides texture and suspension of particles without interfering with skin feel. Well established in cosmetics.

A synthetic gelling and stabilizing polymer that gives lotions and gels their smooth, cushiony texture. The large molecule stays on the skin surface rather than penetrating, and it is graded low concern in published assessments.

A phospholipid emulsifier from soy or sunflower that binds water and oil and helps other ingredients absorb. It is a natural component of skin membranes, well tolerated, and reviewed as safe as used; a soy-derived grade is not a meaningful concern for a soy food allergy because the protein is largely absent.

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.

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.

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 buffering agent used in tiny amounts to set a product's pH, most often alongside gel-forming polymers. It is graded low concern in published assessments at the levels used.

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 naturally occurring nucleoside used in anti-aging formulas, often marketed for smoothing the look of fine lines. It has a low irritation profile and no established hazard at cosmetic use levels.

A saturated fatty acid found in palm oil and naturally in the skin, used as an emollient to soften and condition skin. It is one of the most studied fatty acids and is well tolerated.

A naturally occurring fatty acid (also made in the body and found in many foods) used to thicken lotions and help stabilize cleansing bars. It is one of the most well-studied emollient ingredients and is not a meaningful irritant at cosmetic use levels.

Sodium phytate is a plant-derived chelating agent used to bind trace metals and stabilize formulas, often as a preservative booster alongside other preservatives. Available safety reviews have not identified meaningful irritation or sensitization concerns at typical use levels.

A waxy sterol found naturally in skin and used in cosmetics as an emollient and emulsifier. It supports the skin barrier and is well tolerated across skin types.

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

A modified carbohydrate derived from starch, used to solubilize fragrant or active ingredients and retain moisture in formulas. It is biocompatible, well studied, and safe for topical cosmetic use.

A polysaccharide extracted from yeast cell walls or oat bran. Used for hydration and skin conditioning, beta-glucan is well tolerated with emerging evidence for supporting skin barrier function. No safety concerns flagged in cosmetic use.

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

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 polyphenol antioxidant from grapes and berries, used in skincare to defend against environmental stress. Published assessments indicate it is well tolerated; it may also support the skin barrier when used consistently.

A sulfur-containing antioxidant that functions both inside and outside cells, studied for anti-aging effects in cosmetics. Published safety assessments support low irritation at typical cosmetic concentrations, though some users may experience mild irritation or sensitivity at higher doses or when combined with other active ingredients.

A fermented extract of radish root that acts as a natural preservative and skin-conditioning agent. It has shown antimicrobial properties in formulation work and is well tolerated in rinse-off and leave-on products, though individual sensitivities can vary.

A naturally occurring tripeptide (amino acid compound) that functions as a cellular antioxidant. It is graded low concern in cosmetic assessments, though absorption across intact skin appears limited.

Used like sodium hydroxide to adjust pH in cosmetics at very low levels. At finished-product pH, it is neutralized and well tolerated.

An emulsifier made from sorbitol and lauric acid. Generally recognized as safe and well-tolerated, used to stabilize oil-water mixtures in creams and lotions.

A potent carotenoid antioxidant sourced primarily from microalgae, studied extensively for antioxidant strength and skin-barrier support. Published data suggests good tolerability and efficacy in topical formulations at typical concentrations.

The sodium salt of lactic acid and a key component of the skin barrier and natural moisturizing factor that attracts water to the skin. It is well established as a safe and effective humectant with no known hazards 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 complex peptide that combines a dipeptide with lipophilic groups to support matrix production and skin firmness. Published cosmetic safety assessments indicate it is well tolerated at the concentrations used in skincare formulations.

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

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.

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 starch breakdown product used as a thickener and texture modifier in cosmetic formulations. It is well established in cosmetics and food applications with documented low irritation and contact sensitization risk across diverse skin types.

A signal peptide designed to inhibit neurotransmitter release and reduce facial muscle tension, marketed as a gentler alternative to botulinum toxin. Cosmetic-grade formulations show no significant systemic absorption at recommended levels and are well tolerated in product 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.

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.

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

A B vitamin (B7) included in cosmetics for skin and hair conditioning effects. It is graded with no known concerns in cosmetic assessments and is well tolerated across skin types.

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 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 signal peptide designed to modulate muscle contraction and reduce the appearance of expression lines without systemic effects. Cosmetic formulations are well tolerated, with published assessments confirming safety at recommended concentrations.

A synthetic peptide sequence derived from or mimicking Epidermal Growth Factor, designed to support skin renewal and healing. Cosmetic-grade formulations show no systemic absorption at recommended levels and are well tolerated in topical 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 five-amino-acid peptide lipid that stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis. One of the most established peptides in cosmetics with decades of safe use and no reported sensitization issues.

A naturally occurring lipid cofactor produced in all cells, commonly used in skin care for its antioxidant and energizing properties. Topical formulations show low irritation in published data, and the ingredient is well tolerated across all skin types at cosmetic concentrations.

A small peptide bonded to copper that supports collagen remodeling and skin repair. Studied in cosmetics and dermatology for decades with a strong safety record at cosmetic-use levels.

A naturally occurring dipeptide with antioxidant properties, studied for skin health and barrier function support. It is widely used in skincare and cosmetic formulations with a strong safety history. No known contact allergens or sensitization reactions have been documented.