Snail Secretion Filtrate Moisture Facial Cream

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

A filtrate of garden snail mucus containing glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, allantoin and glycolic acid. A handful of small industry-funded trials report improved hydration and reduced fine lines after several weeks of use, but independent, well-controlled human data are scarce, so treat the "repair" and "glass skin" marketing as unproven rather than false.

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 lightweight, silicone-like emollient derived from coconut/palm fatty alcohols, used to give lotions a smoother, less greasy feel. Listed in the EU CosIng database as a skin-conditioning agent with no restrictions.

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

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

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 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 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 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.

Bisabolol is a botanically derived (or synthetically nature-identical) compound used for its calming, anti-irritant reputation in sensitive-skin formulas. Safety reviews and long clinical use have found it well tolerated with a low rate of reported reactions.

A warming root extract with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Some individuals report mild warming or tingling sensations; those with sensitive skin should start with lower concentrations or patch test first.

A salt form of glycyrrhizic acid, a compound from licorice root prized for soothing irritated skin. It is well tolerated at cosmetic levels and has a long history of use in skincare formulations.

A small humectant and solvent molecule that helps other ingredients dissolve and helps skin hold water. It is one of the most studied cosmetic ingredients and is considered safe at the concentrations used in personal care products.

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 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.

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.

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 pH buffer that neutralizes acidic ingredients to maintain a skin-compatible formulation pH. Decades of safety data and modern manufacturing practices support its use at cosmetic concentrations.

An undisclosed scent blend that can contain dozens of components. The single most common cause of cosmetic contact allergy, and the blend is not itemized, so you cannot see what is in it.