Omega+ Complex Moisturizer

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

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

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 mild plant-derived emulsifier combining polyglycerol and lauric acid. Used in gentle formulas to blend oil and water phases; well tolerated across skin types at cosmetic concentrations.

Cold-pressed oil from olive fruit, valued as a carrier and emollient in skincare formulas. Well tolerated across skin types and delivers fatty acids that support skin barrier integrity.

A lightweight emollient oil from meadowfoam seeds, prized in cosmetics for its stability and skin feel. Very well tolerated with no documented safety concerns in published assessments.

An essential omega-6 fatty acid and key component of the skin barrier. Well documented as safe and beneficial in topical cosmetics, supporting skin integrity and hydration.

One of the three major ceramides naturally found in human skin. Ceramide AP plays a critical role in maintaining the skin barrier and is extensively studied as a safe, essential ingredient. It is derived synthetically or from plant sources.

A key structural lipid naturally found in healthy skin that reinforces the barrier and improves hydration. It is well established in skincare formulations and assessed as having excellent safety across all skin types, including sensitive and compromised barriers.

A lab-made version of a lipid naturally found in the outer skin barrier. It is added to creams and cleansers to help replace lipids that washing can strip away, and it is not linked to irritation or safety concerns.

A naturally occurring amino acid that is a key component of skin barrier lipids and the natural moisturizing factor. It binds water to the skin and is well established as a safe hydrating ingredient with no known sensitization concerns.

A non-essential amino acid that occurs naturally in skin and is used in cosmetics as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent. It has an established safety record with no reported concerns at typical usage levels.

The simplest amino acid, naturally present in skin and collagen, commonly used as a humectant to help retain moisture. It has a long history of safe use in cosmetics with no known hazards at typical concentrations.

An amino acid abundant in collagen that functions as a humectant to draw moisture into the skin. It is well tolerated in skincare products and assessed as safe for cosmetic use at standard formulation levels.

An essential amino acid that is a component of the skin barrier and natural moisturizing factor, used in cosmetics to improve hydration. It is well tolerated and assessed as safe for topical application.

A basic amino acid naturally found in skin that draws moisture into the stratum corneum. It is well tolerated in cosmetics at typical concentrations and has been used safely in skincare formulations for decades.

A stable, saturated version of squalene, a lipid the skin already produces, now usually sourced from olives or sugarcane instead of shark liver. It is very well tolerated across skin types and helps reinforce the skin barrier.

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 plant-derived lipid precursor found naturally in skin that supports barrier function and lipid composition. It is used in skincare formulations to strengthen the stratum corneum and is documented as well tolerated, though rare individual sensitivities may occur.

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.

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

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 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 humectant naturally derived from sugar beets that helps skin draw in and hold water; it has a long history of safe use with no meaningful irritation or sensitization concerns.

Sodium PCA is a natural component of skin's own moisturizing factor and is used in cosmetics as a humectant to help skin hold onto water. It has an extensive history of safe use with no meaningful irritation or sensitization signal.

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.

A modified starch polymer used to thicken and film-form in cosmetics. It is readily broken down in the environment and well tolerated in topical use, with no known sensitization concerns at typical cosmetic concentrations.

A polysaccharide produced by fermentation of fungal cultures, used to thicken and stabilize formulas. It is well tolerated in cosmetics and often chosen by natural-leaning brands. It functions similarly to other gelling agents but comes from a more controlled fermentation source.

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 mild surfactant and emulsifier made from lactic acid and lauric acid. The lactate component makes it less irritating than many other surfactants; generally well tolerated in both rinse-off and leave-on formulas.

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

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.