Head to Toe Moisturizing Balm

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 natural wax secreted by honeybees, used as an emollient and texture builder in balms and salves. It is generally well tolerated. People with bee or pollen allergies should patch test, as rare sensitization has been documented.

An ester that combines cetyl alcohol with ethylhexanoic acid, serving as an emollient. It softens skin and is well tolerated in cosmetics.

A rich plant butter from mango seed kernels, valued for its emollient and protective properties. It is generally well tolerated, though very rare allergic reactions have been reported; those with tree nut allergies may want to patch test first.

Finely milled oat that the FDA recognizes as an over-the-counter skin protectant for temporary relief of minor itching and dryness. Well tolerated, including on eczema-prone skin, with rare contact allergy in people with pre-existing oat or cereal sensitivity.

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 rich, solid-at-room-temperature butter extracted from cocoa seeds, valued for its intense emollient and conditioning properties. While generally well tolerated, it carries a higher likelihood of comedogenicity, so people with acne-prone skin may want to opt for lighter alternatives.

A synthetic ester used to thin out heavy formulas and help other ingredients absorb faster. It is considered safe as used by CIR, but it has a reputation among acne-prone users for feeling occlusive on skin, so people who clog easily may prefer to patch test or choose lighter alternatives.

A plant-derived wax from carnauba palm leaves, widely used in cosmetics to provide texture and protective film-forming properties. Extensively documented as safe for topical use.

A light plant oil from apricot kernel, prized for quick absorption as a facial emollient. Shows low rates of adverse events in cosmetic use, though some formulations may show mild comedogenic properties.

A rich, solid-at-room-temperature oil that deeply softens dry skin and hair. It is well tolerated overall, but its high lauric acid content is considered comedogenic by many dermatologists, so it can trigger breakouts in people who are acne-prone.

A lightweight carrier oil expressed from macadamia nuts, rich in oleic acid and similar in composition to skin lipids. Very well tolerated in cosmetic use, though individuals with tree nut allergies who are cautious may want to patch test.

A cold-pressed oil from sweet orange peel with a bright, citrus scent, containing furanocoumarins that can cause phototoxic reactions (pigmentation and irritation) when exposed to sunlight. This oil is best reserved for rinse-off products or formulations where sun exposure is unlikely or protected, as it can trigger adverse reactions in reactive individuals on sun-exposed skin.

Lavender essential oil naturally contains linalool, geraniol, and coumarin, several of the recognized fragrance allergen constituents, so it can trigger contact reactions in fragrance-sensitive users even though it is a "natural" ingredient. It is not a general hazard for most people, but those with a known fragrance allergy should treat it like any other essential oil.

An aromatic plant extract rich in natural antioxidants, valued in skincare formulations for its protective properties. Published cosmetic assessments indicate it is generally well tolerated, though the botanical origin means some sensitive individuals may react.

An essential oil with a distinctive cooling scent, eucalyptus contains recognized fragrance allergen constituents and can trigger contact reactions in fragrance-sensitive individuals. People with known sensitivities to essential oils or fragrance should avoid it or use with caution.

A complex polyester used as an emollient in cosmetics to soften and protect the skin. Limited published safety data exists, but cosmetic industry use patterns show no significant adverse effects reported.

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