MegaLast High-Shine Lip Color

Tridecyl trimellitate is a synthetic ester made from trimellitic acid and tridecyl alcohol, used as a rich, non-greasy emollient that smooths and conditions dry skin at concentrations reported up to roughly 57%. CIR's panel reviewed it with four related trialkyl trimellitates and concluded they're safe as used when formulated to be non-irritating; it was slightly irritating to rabbit eyes in testing but is not significantly absorbed through skin.

A multi-ester emollient derived from pentaerythritol and isostearic acid. It softens and protects skin, with no known safety concerns in cosmetic formulas.

A chemically produced wax derived from petroleum refining, used to add texture, viscosity, and occlusive properties to formulations. It is an inert ingredient with a long history of safe use in cosmetics and is well documented as non-toxic and non-irritating.

This is a triester made from trimethylolpropane and isostearic acid, used as a thick, cushiony emollient in lipsticks, creams, and makeup to soften texture and add slip. It belongs to a well established family of fatty ester emollients with a low irritation history, though a dedicated CIR report specific to this ester was not located, so the evidence here leans on its close chemical relatives rather than ingredient specific testing.

A smooth synthetic emollient ester used to soften skin and carry oil-soluble ingredients. It is well tolerated and graded low concern in published assessments.

A fatty alcohol emollient that softens and conditions skin. The CIR Expert Panel concluded it is safe as used in cosmetics, with this determination originally made in 1985 and reaffirmed in 2006.

A vegetable oil that has been hydrogenated to create a stable, solid texture. Used in cosmetics for emollient and conditioning properties with extensive history of safe use.

A more stable, esterified form of vitamin E used as an antioxidant and skin-conditioning ingredient. It is a different substance from the vitamin E acetate implicated in vaping-related lung injury, which involved inhaling the oil, not applying it topically to skin.

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 plant butter from the seeds of the Murumuru palm, used as an emollient in skincare formulations. Limited published cosmetic safety data exists, but it has not been associated with documented safety concerns, and the use pattern is consistent with other plant butters.

A plant-derived wax extracted from the Euphorbia cerifera shrub native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It provides emollient and thickening benefits and has a long history of traditional use with no documented sensitization or irritation concerns at typical cosmetic concentrations.

A widely used preservative, safe at the legal limit of 1% or less. Often the "paraben-free" replacement.

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.

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.

A nutrient-rich oil pressed from sweet almond kernels, used to soften and condition skin. It is generally well tolerated, though people with tree nut allergies should patch test first, as it can rarely trigger allergic reactions.

A lightweight botanical oil pressed from rosehip seeds, used to nourish and condition the skin. It is generally well tolerated, though as a botanical extract it may rarely trigger sensitivity in individuals prone to plant allergies.

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

A stable, saturated version of squalene, a lipid the skin already produces, now usually sourced from olives or sugarcane instead of shark liver. It is very well tolerated across skin types and helps reinforce the skin barrier.

A lightweight botanical oil from marula tree seeds, valued for softening and conditioning the skin. It is generally well tolerated across skin types.

An ester of palmitic acid and ethylhexanol, commonly used as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent. It is well studied and well tolerated in cosmetics.

A nutrient-rich carrier oil from soybean seeds containing linoleic and linolenic acids essential for barrier function. Phytoestrogen content is present but not absorbed systemically from topical application, graded low concern by regulatory assessments.

Green tea extract is a well-studied topical antioxidant with a long history of use in serums and moisturizers, generally well tolerated at cosmetic concentrations. Panel safety reviews of Camellia sinensis-derived ingredients have not identified meaningful topical hazard.

An extract from damascene rose flowers graded for antioxidant and skin-soothing properties. It is generally well tolerated in cosmetics, though people with rose pollen allergies or broader botanical sensitivities may prefer to patch test.

A long-chain alkyl ester derived from behenic acid, used to condition and thicken cosmetic formulations. Available evidence from cosmetic use shows minimal sensitization potential.

A plant-derived emollient and preservative formed from glycerin and caprylic acid (coconut) that helps retain moisture and supports formula stability through mild antimicrobial activity.

A synthetic antioxidant approved in the EU and used at low levels to prevent product degradation and extend shelf life. Not absorbed through skin and presents no safety concern in cosmetic formulations.

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.

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.

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide attaches a fatty palmitic acid tail to a short synthetic peptide, a design used in anti-aging serums to signal skin cells, including as one component of the widely marketed Matrixyl 3000 complex. CIR's review of palmitoyl oligopeptides as a class did not identify a safety signal, and as a large synthetic peptide it is not expected to cross intact skin in meaningful amounts. Independently published clinical evidence on how well any single palmitoyl peptide performs is thinner than the marketing built around it.

A naturally occurring lipid cofactor produced in all cells, commonly used in skin care for its antioxidant and energizing properties. Topical formulations show low irritation in published data, and the ingredient is well tolerated across all skin types at cosmetic concentrations.

A mineral thickener and anti-caking agent widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics to control texture and prevent ingredient separation. CIR has reviewed silica in cosmetic use and found no basis for concern at the levels used topically.