Ingredient Safety Assessment for Cream Formula

Question

Based on the following list of ingredients in a cream, could you please review them and advise if there are any dangerous ingredients? Ingredients: Aqua, [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2/155-phenoxyethanol-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B5paraben.html:pz81a3dp]Phenoxyethanol[/url:pz81a3dp], Nianinamide, [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%8C/138-propylene-glycol-%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%99-%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A5.html:pz81a3dp]Propylene Glycol[/url:pz81a3dp], [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4/87-jojoba-oil-golden-%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B2-%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A2-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A2%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%99.html:pz81a3dp]Simmondsia Chinensis[/url:pz81a3dp] seed oli, [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%8B%E0%B9%8C%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C/75-allantoin-%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99-%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87-%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9E%E0%B9%89-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9E%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2.html:pz81a3dp]Allantoin[/url:pz81a3dp], [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%9A%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%84%E0%B9%8C/173-cetyl-alcohol-vegetable.html:pz81a3dp]Cetyl Alcohol[/url:pz81a3dp], Aloe Barbadensis Leaf extyact, [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/319-%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A1:pz81a3dp]Fragrance[/url:pz81a3dp], [url=http://www.myskinrecipes.com/shop/whitening-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%AB%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7/133-vitamin-c-l-ascorbic-acid-ultra-fine-%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B5.html:pz81a3dp]ascorbic acid[/url:pz81a3dp].

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Ingredient Safety Assessment

Overall, the ingredients in your cream are commonly used in cosmetic formulations and are generally considered safe. However, some ingredients can potentially cause sensitivity in certain individuals.

Here's a breakdown of the ingredients:

Aqua (Water): This is the base of the cream and is safe.
Phenoxyethanol: This is a common preservative used to prevent microbial growth. It is considered safe within recommended usage levels (typically up to 1%). While some individuals can be sensitive to preservatives, Phenoxyethanol is widely used as an alternative to parabens.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): A beneficial ingredient known for improving skin barrier function, reducing redness and hyperpigmentation, and helping with acne and oiliness. It is generally well-tolerated.
Propylene Glycol: Acts as a humectant (helps skin retain moisture) and a solvent. It is widely used and considered safe in cosmetic formulations.
Simmondsia Chinensis seed oil (Jojoba oil): A plant-based oil that is similar in structure to the skin's natural oils. It's a good moisturizer and generally non-comedogenic and well-tolerated.
Allantoin: Known for its soothing and anti-irritant properties, helping to reduce redness and promote skin healing. It is considered safe and gentle.
Cetyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol used as a thickener and emollient (softens and smooths skin). It helps give the cream its texture and provides moisturizing benefits. It is generally safe.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf extract (Aloe Vera Extract): Known for its soothing, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is widely used and considered safe.
Fragrance: This is a broad term that can include various chemical compounds to give the product a scent. Fragrance is the most common cause of allergic reactions and skin irritation in cosmetic products, especially for individuals with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema. While not inherently "dangerous" for everyone, it is a potential irritant for some.
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C): A potent antioxidant that can help brighten skin, reduce signs of aging, and stimulate collagen. L-Ascorbic Acid, specifically, is highly effective but can be unstable and potentially irritating, especially at high concentrations or if the product's pH is too low.

Potential Concerns:

The primary ingredient that might cause a reaction is Fragrance, particularly for those with known sensitivities or allergies to perfumes.

While generally safe, Phenoxyethanol and Ascorbic acid could potentially cause mild irritation in very sensitive individuals, depending on their concentration in the formula and the overall formulation.

In summary: Most ingredients are beneficial and widely used. If you have sensitive skin or have reacted to fragranced products before, the fragrance in this cream is the most likely ingredient to cause an issue. Ascorbic acid could also cause irritation depending on the formulation.