Cooling Intimate Wash

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

An amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactant derived from coconut oil that works well with other cleansers and is milder than anionic surfactants alone. It is widely used in gentle shampoos and body washes with a good safety profile in cosmetic use.

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

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.

A linoleic-acid-rich plant oil used as an emollient and, in some small pediatric studies, associated with support of the skin barrier when applied to infant skin. It is well tolerated with a low reported rate of contact reactions.

A leaf extract long used in Korean and Chinese folk medicine and popularized in K-beauty as "heartleaf." Small in-vitro and cell-culture studies suggest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but there is little rigorous human clinical trial data isolating the extract itself, so soothing claims should be read as plausible rather than proven.

An essential oil from lavandin, a sterile hybrid of lavender species, with a floral and herbaceous scent. Most people tolerate it well, though contact allergy and sensitization have been documented in patch-test studies, particularly in individuals with existing fragrance sensitivity or in leave-on products.

An essential oil from field mint leaves, similar to peppermint but with a slightly different terpene profile. It is a known fragrance allergen and skin irritant, especially in leave-on products or for people with sensitive or compromised skin, and it oxidizes over time to increase allergenicity.

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.

A cooling agent derived from menthol that creates a tingling or cooling sensation on skin without the strong burn of menthol itself. It can irritate or sensitize reactive skin types, particularly in leave-on formulations or at higher concentrations, making it most suitable for rinse-off products or diluted formulas.

A fragrant oil extracted from geranium flowers, used for scent and antioxidant benefits. It is a named fragrance allergen in the EU and can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals, particularly in leave-on formulations.

A hydrosol from damascena rose flowers, used as a skin toner and fragrance. Rose can trigger allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, though the hydrosol form is generally well tolerated. People with a history of plant sensitivities should patch test.

A quaternized derivative of hyaluronic acid that combines hydration and film-forming benefits for enhanced moisturizing effects. It is documented in cosmetic use as well tolerated, though people sensitive to quaternary ammonium compounds may want to perform a patch test.

A larger, gentler alpha hydroxy acid than glycolic acid, used to exfoliate and to draw in moisture. It can still cause stinging or increased sun sensitivity at higher concentrations, so daytime SPF use is sensible, but it is generally better tolerated than glycolic acid.

A mild plant-derived emulsifier combining polyglycerol and lauric acid. Used in gentle formulas to blend oil and water phases; well tolerated across skin types at cosmetic concentrations.

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 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.

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.

An amino acid-derived chelating agent that stabilizes formulas by binding trace metals. Published assessments support its use at cosmetic concentrations.

Used in tiny amounts to set a product to skin-friendly pH. No concern at those levels.

A floral fragrance component and one of the EU-labelled fragrance allergens. Usually fine, worth watching if you react to scented products.