DIVE IN Serum

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

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

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

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

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 chemically modified form of hyaluronic acid that improves stability and penetration in skincare formulations. Clinical assessments show it hydrates skin effectively and is well tolerated across sensitive and normal skin types.

A chemically cross-linked form of sodium hyaluronate designed to remain on the skin surface longer and provide sustained hydration. It functions as a humectant and is well tolerated, with the same safety profile as standard hyaluronic acid.

A lower molecular weight version of hyaluronic acid designed for better skin penetration. It has been extensively studied and shown to support skin hydration and barrier function with excellent tolerability in diverse formulations and skin types.

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 disaccharide sugar that acts as a humectant, drawing moisture into the skin and helping prevent dryness. It is well tolerated and commonly found in skincare formulas designed to support skin barrier health.

A humectant naturally derived from sugar beets that helps skin draw in and hold water; it has a long history of safe use with no meaningful irritation or sensitization concerns.

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 plant extract used in Korean skincare for its soothing, antioxidant reputation. It is well tolerated with a low reported irritation rate; the soothing claims rest on limited but reasonable evidence.

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 purified triterpene from Centella asiatica (the "cica" plant) used in soothing and barrier-support products, especially Korean formulas. It is well tolerated with a low reported irritation rate; the strong repair and anti-aging claims around it are more marketing than settled evidence.

A key active compound from Centella asiatica linked in published research to skin barrier support and soothing properties. It is well tolerated in skincare formulations.

A lab-made version of a lipid naturally found in the outer skin barrier. It is added to creams and cleansers to help replace lipids that washing can strip away, and it is not linked to irritation or safety concerns.

A polysaccharide extracted from yeast cell walls or oat bran. Used for hydration and skin conditioning, beta-glucan is well tolerated with emerging evidence for supporting skin barrier function. No safety concerns flagged in cosmetic use.

A mineral extract from malachite stone, used for its trace copper content and historical use in cosmetics. Safety data is limited but it is inert in typical cosmetic concentrations.

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.

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 synthetic copolymer used to thicken and stabilize gels, serums, and emulsions. CIR has determined it is safe as used in cosmetics. The polymer is high molecular weight, which minimizes penetration and contact sensitization risk.

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.

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 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.

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 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 extract from the root of the baical skullcap plant, used for antioxidant and skin-conditioning effects. It is generally well tolerated at cosmetic concentrations.