The Vita-A Retinol Shot Tightening Serum

1,2-Hexanediol is commonly used as a solvent and preservative booster; topical exposure is low and it has no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns at cosmetic concentrations, though very sensitive skin may occasionally react.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Common emollient derived from fatty acids and glycerin. Used to soften skin and improve texture without pregnancy-specific concerns.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) is used for soothing and barrier support and is generally well tolerated, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

A large silicone resin polymer used as a film former and texture enhancer. CIR specifically included Polypropylsilsesquioxane in its polysilsesquioxane assessment and concluded that the group is safe in current cosmetic practices. The polymers are large and insoluble and are not expected to penetrate skin meaningfully; no pregnancy-specific concern was identified.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Polysilsesquioxanes as Used in Cosmetics https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/safety-assessment-polysilsesquioxanes-used-cosmetics-0; CIR December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf.

A long-chain fatty alcohol or fatty-alcohol blend used as an emollient, emulsifier or thickener. Cosmetic safety assessments of long-chain fatty alcohols support use in current cosmetic practices; systemic absorption and reproductive exposure from normal topical use are expected to be low.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Fatty Alcohols as Used in Cosmetics; CIR December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf

Emulsifier and emollient used to stabilise creams and lotions. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

Polymer thickener used to stabilise emulsions. Large-molecule ingredient with low systemic absorption.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil is a common emollient rich in fatty acids and is generally well tolerated, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Polymer thickener and stabiliser used in creams and sunscreens. Low systemic exposure expected.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

Vitamin E antioxidant used to protect oils and support the skin barrier. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

Allantoin is a soothing skin protectant commonly used to help reduce irritation and support comfort, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Amino acid used as a humectant, skin-conditioning agent, and pH-adjusting support ingredient. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of α-Amino Acids as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

A purified hydrocarbon emollient or volatile carrier used for slip and light texture. Related cosmetic hydrocarbon and isoparaffin assessments support use in current practices. Normal dermal exposure is not associated with a pregnancy-specific signal; volatile products should be used with ordinary ventilation.

Sources: CIR: Isoparaffins safety assessment, IJT 31(Suppl. 3), 2012; CIR: hydrocarbon polymers and cosmetic hydrocarbon assessments; CIR December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf

Natural polysaccharide thickener used for stability and texture. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.

Sources: European cosmetics regulatory framework

Preservative booster and skin-conditioning agent. Considered safe for cosmetic use with low systemic exposure when used as intended.

Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US)

A sugar-derived surfactant and emulsifier. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that alkyl glucosides, including C12-20 alkyl glucoside, are safe in current practices when formulated to be non-irritating.

Sources: CIR: Alkyl Glucosides conclusion, IJT 32(Suppl. 3), 2013; December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf

This glucose-derived nonionic surfactant or emulsifier is used in cleansers and emulsions. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review concluded that alkyl glucosides are safe in current cosmetic use when formulated to be non-irritating; sensitive skin can still react to surfactants.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Decyl Glucoside and Other Alkyl Glucosides as Used in Cosmetics https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment/?id=9810a771-8e74-ec11-8943-0022482f06a6

A polyglycerin fatty-acid ester used as an emulsifier, dispersant or emollient. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that the assessed polyglyceryl fatty acid esters are safe in current practices when formulated to be non-irritating.

Sources: CIR: Polyglyceryl Fatty Acid Esters conclusions, including Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate and Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, IJT 42(Suppl. 2), 2023; December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf

Skin-conditioning ingredient commonly used in leave-on skincare. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Adenosine Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

A purified hydrocarbon emollient or volatile carrier used for slip and light texture. Related cosmetic hydrocarbon and isoparaffin assessments support use in current practices. Normal dermal exposure is not associated with a pregnancy-specific signal; volatile products should be used with ordinary ventilation.

Sources: CIR: Isoparaffins safety assessment, IJT 31(Suppl. 3), 2012; CIR: hydrocarbon polymers and cosmetic hydrocarbon assessments; CIR December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf

Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used to improve formula stability and performance; it is considered low concern in topical cosmetic use, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding risks at typical concentrations.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

A plant-part extract used for skin conditioning, soothing, fragrance or antioxidant support. No pregnancy-specific systemic signal was identified for normal topical cosmetic exposure. This assessment does not extend to essential oils, oral herbal products or medicinal doses, and botanical sensitivity remains possible.

Sources: European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory; CIR botanical safety framework and relevant plant-derived ingredient assessments; peer-reviewed cosmetic-use literature.

A surfactant, emulsifier or conditioning ingredient used at controlled cosmetic concentrations. Local irritation in strong formulas is the practical concern; no pregnancy-specific systemic or developmental hazard was identified for normal topical or rinse-off exposure.

Sources: European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory; relevant CIR assessments of surfactants, ethoxylated ingredients and quaternary conditioning agents.

A high-molecular-weight polymer used to hold water and stabilise texture. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer is safe in current cosmetic practices. Dermal absorption of the finished polymer is expected to be limited; residual monomers should be controlled by cosmetic manufacturing standards.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer and Glyceryl Polyacrylate https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment/?id=c79ac89b-d78d-055f-ba88-45f4f5a039b3

A high-molecular-weight film-forming copolymer used in hair, oral-care and skin products. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that PVM/MA copolymer is safe in current practices of use and concentration. Absorption of the intact polymer is expected to be limited.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of PVM/MA Copolymer and Its Esters, IJT 30(Suppl. 2), 2011; December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf

Solvent and humectant commonly used in leave-on products. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns at cosmetic exposure levels.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

A colour additive used in cosmetics. FDA lists caramel and beta-carotene as permitted cosmetic colour additives, including for eye-area and general cosmetic use, subject to applicable identity, purity and manufacturing requirements. No pregnancy-specific concern was identified from normal topical cosmetic exposure.

Sources: FDA: Color Additives Permitted for Use in Cosmetics https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-names/color-additives-permitted-use-cosmetics; 21 CFR Part 73.

Simple sugar used as a humectant and skin-conditioning support ingredient. Reviewed cosmetic ingredient references do not identify a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Related Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Short synthetic peptide used as a skin-conditioning cosmetic ingredient. Cosmetic safety review sources for tripeptide-1 and related derivatives do not identify a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR Expert Panel. Safety Assessment of Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-12, their metal salts and fatty acyl derivatives, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as used in cosmetics. Final report, 2014; Schagen 2017 doi:10.3390/cosmetics4020016.

Synthetic peptide used as a skin-conditioning ingredient. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources indicate no known pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern in normal topical cosmetic use. Available cosmetic safety assessments conclude this ingredient is safe in the present practices of use and concentration described for cosmetics.

Sources: CIR Expert Panel, Safety Assessment of Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-12, their metal salts and fatty acyl derivatives, and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 as used in cosmetics, final report, 2014

Synthetic cosmetic peptide used in topical brightening and skin-conditioning formulas. Reviewed cosmetic peptide literature and cosmetic ingredient references do not identify a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical cosmetic use.

Sources: Schagen SK. Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results. Cosmetics. 2017;4(2):16. doi:10.3390/cosmetics4020016; EU CosIng / INCI cosmetic ingredient references.

Synthetic cosmetic peptide used in topical anti-aging and skin-conditioning formulas. Available cosmetic ingredient references and topical peptide literature do not identify a known pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical cosmetic use.

Sources: Schagen SK. Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results. Cosmetics. 2017;4(2):16. doi:10.3390/cosmetics4020016; EU CosIng / INCI cosmetic ingredient references.

Short synthetic peptide used in topical eye, anti-aging and skin-conditioning cosmetic formulas. Available cosmetic ingredient references do not identify a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical cosmetic use.

Sources: Schagen SK. Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results. Cosmetics. 2017;4(2):16. doi:10.3390/cosmetics4020016; EU CosIng / INCI cosmetic ingredient references.

Copper-binding carrier peptide also known as GHK-Cu, used topically in cosmetic skin-renewal, anti-aging, barrier-support and hair/scalp products. Reviewed literature describes topical cosmetic use and does not identify a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific risk signal for normal topical use. This assessment does not apply to injectable copper peptides or oral peptide/copper supplementation.

Sources: Schagen SK. Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results. Cosmetics. 2017;4(2):16. doi:10.3390/cosmetics4020016; Pickart L et al. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):1987. doi:10.3390/ijms19071987.

Synthetic acetylated peptide used in topical eye, anti-aging and skin-conditioning formulas. Reviewed topical peptide literature lists acetyl tetrapeptide-5 among cosmetic peptides, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern identified for normal topical cosmetic use.

Sources: Schagen SK. Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results. Cosmetics. 2017;4(2):16. doi:10.3390/cosmetics4020016; EU CosIng / INCI cosmetic ingredient references.

Synthetic peptide used as a skin-conditioning ingredient. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources do not indicate a known pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern in normal topical cosmetic use. The available cosmetic safety assessment concluded this ingredient is safe in cosmetics at concentrations up to 0.005%; safety above that concentration was not established in the reviewed report.

Sources: CIR Expert Panel, Safety Assessment of Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Amide as Used in Cosmetics, final report, 2021

Synthetic palmitoylated signal peptide used in topical anti-aging cosmetics. It is one of the better-studied cosmetic peptides, with reviewed topical literature describing controlled cosmetic studies and no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical cosmetic use.

Sources: Schagen SK. Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results. Cosmetics. 2017;4(2):16. doi:10.3390/cosmetics4020016; Robinson LR et al. Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2005;27(3):155-160.