Squalane Glow Moisturizer with Niacinamide & Vitamin C

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

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

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 lightweight, odorless emollient made by combining coconut or palm-derived fatty acids with glycerin. It spreads easily, feels non-greasy, and has a long history of use in skin and hair products with no meaningful irritation or sensitization signal.

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.

Arbutin is a plant-derived brightening ingredient that is chemically related to hydroquinone and can release small amounts of it in formulation. EU regulators have set new maximum use levels for arbutin and alpha-arbutin in leave-on products because of this hydroquinone-release concern, so products sold there must stay within those caps.

A nutrient-rich oil pressed from sweet almond kernels, used to soften and condition skin. It is generally well tolerated, though people with tree nut allergies should patch test first, as it can rarely trigger allergic reactions.

A starch derivative used in cosmetics to thicken formulations and improve texture. It has been used safely in food and cosmetics for decades and shows low irritation potential across rinse-off and leave-on products.

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 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 plant extract used for mild astringent and soothing effects. Evidence for its benefits comes mostly from traditional use and small studies rather than large trials, and the tannins it contains can be mildly irritating for some people, particularly in older distilled formulas that retain trace alcohol.

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

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.

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

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.

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

A gentle humectant derived from glucose. It draws water to the skin and is mild enough for sensitive skin types. Widely used in cosmetics without reported safety concerns.

An essential oil from damask rose flowers prized for its complex, floral scent. It is a known fragrance allergen because it contains many volatile components that oxidize readily in air; dermatitis patients can react to both the fresh oil and its degradation products.