After Sun Gel with Aloe, Lidocaine and Menthol

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

A fast-evaporating solvent used to carry actives and give toners a light, "clean" feel; at the concentrations used in classic astringents it can be genuinely drying or irritating with repeated use, especially on dry or compromised skin, though it is not inherently toxic and is a normal, well-studied cosmetic ingredient.

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

A synthetic surfactant and emulsifier that blends oils and water in cosmetics and has been used safely for decades in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Published safety literature is extensive and reassuring at cosmetic levels.

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 plant-derived water or extract used mainly as a soothing humectant filler. Evidence for dramatic skin benefits beyond mild hydration and soothing is limited, but it is well tolerated by most people.

An organic UV filter with a genuinely mixed evidence picture: it is a documented contact and photo-contact allergen in a subset of users, and studies show it absorbs into the bloodstream at levels that prompted the FDA to request further safety data. The EU has lowered its permitted concentration as a precaution. It is not established as unsafe at approved levels, but people with sensitive skin may prefer to watch for reactions or choose a mineral filter.

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.

A formaldehyde-releasing preservative used to extend shelf life. It is one of the more frequently reported contact-allergy triggers among preservatives, so people with sensitive or eczema-prone skin, or a known formaldehyde allergy, may want to patch test or avoid it.

A naturally occurring compound from peppermint and other mint plants that creates a cooling sensation and may have mild antimicrobial properties. It is generally safe in rinse-off products and low concentrations but can irritate or sensitize some individuals, particularly in leave-on formulas or higher amounts.