Free and Clear Shampoo

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

A sugar-derived, biodegradable cleansing surfactant made from coconut/palm fatty alcohol and glucose; it is markedly gentler than sulfates and is the workhorse of "sensitive skin" or fragrance-free cleansers. CIR reviewed it with other alkyl glucosides and found it safe as used when the finished product is formulated to be non-irritating.

A mild non-ionic cleansing agent made from coconut fatty alcohols and plant sugars (glucose). It is widely used in sulfate-free shampoos and gentle cleansers and is one of the least irritating surfactants in common use.

A synthetic polymer used to thicken and stabilize cosmetic formulas. The polymer chains are too large to penetrate skin; graded safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review and widely used in rinse-off and leave-on products.

A gentle amino acid-derived surfactant made from coconut oil and glutamic acid. Commonly used in cleansers and body washes for its mild cleaning action and skin compatibility.

A mild amino-acid-based cleansing agent made from coconut fatty acids and the amino acid glycine. It foams less aggressively than sulfates and has no significant safety concerns reported in rinse-off use.

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.

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 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 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.

Caprylyl glycol is a plant-derived humectant that also has mild antimicrobial properties, so it is commonly paired with other preservatives to allow lower overall preservative levels. Available data do not point to meaningful irritation or sensitization concerns at typical use levels.

A strong alkali used in tiny amounts to adjust the pH of cosmetics to safe, skin-friendly levels. At the pH found in finished products, sodium hydroxide is neutralized and well tolerated.

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.