Gentle Bright Niacinamide + Alpha Arbutin Serum

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

A small glycol used as a solvent and to boost the absorption of actives, and to help preservatives work at lower levels. It is well tolerated and graded low concern in published assessments.

A light, low-odor glycol used as a solvent and humectant, extremely common in Korean toners and essences. It has a low reported irritation rate and is graded low concern in published assessments.

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.

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 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 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 preservative and antioxidant that helps prevent microbial growth and oxidative degradation in formulas. Published assessments support its use at cosmetic levels.

A rheology modifier that thickens gels and serums while maintaining a lightweight, non-sticky feel. Provides suspension and stability in water-based formulas. Widely used and well tolerated.

A naturally derived molecule combining glycerin and glucose that functions as both a humectant and emollient. It is graded with no known concerns in cosmetic use and draws moisture into the skin.

Another sugar-and-fatty-alcohol derived non-ionic surfactant, structurally close to coco-glucoside but made from a shorter (decyl, C10) fatty chain. It is a gentle cleanser generally well tolerated, though a small number of contact-allergy case reports exist, mostly in people with pre-existing skin conditions.

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

A buffering agent used in tiny amounts to set a product's pH, most often alongside gel-forming polymers. It is graded low concern in published assessments at the levels used.

A soothing, skin-conditioning compound (also found in comfrey root) commonly added to calm and hydrate irritated or sensitive skin. It has a long history of safe use with very low irritation potential.

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.

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.

An emulsifier made from sorbitol and isostearic acid, used to stabilize oil-in-water formulas. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel assessed it as safe for cosmetic use at typical concentrations.

A synthetic surfactant widely used to emulsify oils and water in cosmetics. It is well tolerated and has been used safely in cosmetic formulations for decades.

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.

Sodium phytate is a plant-derived chelating agent used to bind trace metals and stabilize formulas, often as a preservative booster alongside other preservatives. Available safety reviews have not identified meaningful irritation or sensitization concerns at typical use levels.

A positively charged conditioning polymer used in hair and skin products to improve texture and feel. It is graded safe by CIR and has a low incidence of reported sensitivities at typical use levels.

A versatile eight-carbon alcohol used as a humectant and solvent in skincare and cosmetics. Published assessments support its safe use at concentrations found in cosmetic products.

A polyphenol antioxidant from grapes and berries, used in skincare to defend against environmental stress. Published assessments indicate it is well tolerated; it may also support the skin barrier when used consistently.

A gentle, stable vitamin C derivative that the skin converts to active vitamin C, popular for brightening with less irritation than pure ascorbic acid. It is well tolerated and graded low concern in published assessments.

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

A mineral salt used in cosmetics as a pH buffer and conditioning agent. Safety data indicate no hazards or sensitization concerns for topical cosmetic use at typical concentrations.

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

Vitamin B12 used in cosmetics for its purported skin-conditioning and nutritional benefits. It is established as safe for topical use with no known hazards or sensitization concerns at concentrations typically used in skincare.