No.9 NAD+BIO Super Defense Glow Sunscreen

A widely used organic UV-A filter in sunscreens. It can lose effectiveness in sunlight unless paired with photostabilizers, but safety reviews have not found it to pose a meaningful health hazard at approved use levels.

A UV-B filter used in sunscreens. After reassessing hormone-activity data, the EU lowered its permitted maximum concentration as a precaution, but concluded the ingredient remains safe for use at the new lower limit.

A mild UVB chemical filter usually used to help dissolve and stabilize other sunscreen actives. It has a long OTC history at US-approved levels with a low rate of reported irritation.

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

A lightweight salicylate ester used mainly as a solvent to keep avobenzone stable and to give modern sunscreens a non-greasy finish. It has not drawn any published safety flags and functions cosmetically rather than as an active.

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

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 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.

An amino acid derived emulsifier made from stearic acid and glutamic acid that is increasingly used in natural and clean formulations. It is mild, biodegradable, and presents no known safety concerns for cosmetic use.

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

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

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.

A soothing, skin-conditioning compound (also found in comfrey root) commonly added to calm and hydrate irritated or sensitive skin. It has a long history of safe use with very low irritation potential.

A soothing plant extract traditionally used in skincare, valued for its potential anti-inflammatory properties. Published assessments note it is generally well tolerated in cosmetic formulations, though people with sensitivities to botanicals may want to patch test.

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 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 glycol used very widely in Korean and Western skincare as a lightweight humectant, solvent, and gentle preservative-booster, often in place of traditional preservatives. It has a low reported irritation rate at use levels and is graded low concern in published assessments.

A leaf extract long used in Korean and Chinese folk medicine and popularized in K-beauty as "heartleaf." Small in-vitro and cell-culture studies suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but there is little rigorous human clinical trial data isolating the extract itself, so soothing claims should be read as plausible rather than proven.

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

A plant extract long used in traditional wound care and now common in "cica" soothing products, valued for calming redness and supporting the skin barrier. It is generally well tolerated, with rare contact allergy reported.

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 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 broken-down form of hyaluronic acid with smaller molecules intended to penetrate more deeply into the skin. It functions as a humectant and is well tolerated, with the same safety profile as standard hyaluronic acid.

A chemically cross-linked form of sodium hyaluronate designed to remain on the skin surface longer and provide sustained hydration. It functions as a humectant and is well tolerated, with the same safety profile as standard hyaluronic acid.

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 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 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 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 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.