The INKEY List
The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream
Low risk76/100
The INKEY List
Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief
Serums
Some ingredients carry a low-risk flag. Read the formulation context before deciding.
17 of 17 ingredients rated
Is it suitable during pregnancy?
MamaSkin rates the recorded formula for The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief as Low risk (75/100). Review the ingredient context and any manual-review explanation before deciding.
Why this rating?
The recorded formula includes 2 ingredient entries with risk flags: Azelaic Acid (Low risk), Phenoxyethanol (Low risk). These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail.
17 of 17 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
How we assess productsIngredient breakdown
The recorded formula, with evidence behind each rating. Unmatched ingredients are marked Not assessed in grey.
Ingredient ratings and evidence
Higher-risk flags first. Open an ingredient for evidence.
Phenoxyethanol
Low risk
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative permitted in EU cosmetics up to 1.0%. The SCCS concluded it is safe for cosmetic use at that level, including when considering higher cosmetic exposure scenarios in infants and young children. Main practical concern is irritation/stinging on very sensitive or compromised skin rather than a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific risk.
Sources: SCCS/1575/16: Phenoxyethanol opinion https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/phenoxyethanol_en
Azelaic Acid
Low risk
Azelaic acid is used topically for acne and pigmentation. MotherToBaby reports that ACOG lists OTC azelaic acid among ingredients that can be used during pregnancy if needed. Product information for 20% azelaic acid states that adequate controlled pregnancy studies are lacking, reports reassuring animal data and estimates about 3.6% absorption after a single topical dose. MamaSkin retains Low Risk while avoiding a categorical “pregnancy-safe” claim.
Sources: MotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582985/, Skinoren 20% cream product information https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/285/smpc
Water
No known risks
Water (Aqua) is the standard purified water used as a cosmetic solvent. It has no pregnancy-specific risk in normal topical use.
Sources: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Water, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-database/cosing-glossary-ingredients_en
Propanediol
No known risks
Solvent and humectant used to improve texture and ingredient solubility. Low systemic exposure expected from topical cosmetic use.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
No known risks
Large polymer thickener, stabilizer and texture ingredient used in gels, creams and sunscreens. Systemic exposure from topical cosmetic use is expected to be low, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern identified in reviewed cosmetic references.
Sources: CIR cosmetic ingredient safety references for acrylates copolymers; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Show all 17 ingredients
Acacia Senegal Gum
No known risks
A large plant-derived polysaccharide gum used as a binder and film former. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review reaffirmed it as safe in current cosmetic use. Rare allergy and control of pesticide or heavy-metal impurities remain practical considerations, but no pregnancy-specific concern is identified for normal topical exposure.
Sources: CIR: Amended Safety Assessment of Acacia Senegal Gum and Acacia Senegal Gum Extract https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/amended-safety-assessment-acacia-senegal-gum-and-acacia-senegal-gum-extract-used-cos
Xanthan Gum
No known risks
Natural polysaccharide thickener used for stability and texture. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: European cosmetics regulatory framework
Allantoin
No known risks
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
Glycerin
No known risks
Glycerin is a widely used humectant that supports hydration and the skin barrier, with a long safety record and no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Ethylhexylglycerin
No known risks
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)
Polysorbate 60
No known risks
Nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer used to help oil and water phases mix. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Polysorbates as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Sorbitan Isostearate
No known risks
Emulsifier used to help oil and water phases remain mixed. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support topical use in cosmetics; the main practical issue is irritation potential in some formulas rather than a pregnancy-specific concern.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Sorbitan Esters as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Maltodextrin
No known risks
Polysaccharide carrier and bulking agent used for texture and delivery support. 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 Polysaccharide Gums as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Sodium Hydroxide
No known risks
pH adjuster used in very small quantities to balance formulations. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); European cosmetics regulatory framework
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
No known risks
A botanical extract, juice or water used primarily for skin conditioning, moisturising, soothing or antioxidant support. Direct pregnancy studies of the named cosmetic material were not identified. No reproductive or developmental hazard was identified for normal topical exposure to a compliant finished cosmetic; oral herbal or medicinal use is outside this classification.
Sources: European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory; Cosmetic Ingredient Review botanical safety-assessment framework and relevant plant-family assessments. No ingredient-specific human pregnancy study of normal topical cosmetic use was identified.
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
No known risks
A fruit, seed or food-plant extract used for skin conditioning and antioxidant support. No pregnancy-specific signal was identified for the low topical exposure expected from a finished cosmetic. Direct pregnancy studies are generally unavailable, and botanical allergy remains possible.
Sources: European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory; CIR botanical safety framework and relevant fruit-derived ingredient assessments; peer-reviewed cosmetic and phytochemical literature for the named plants.
Polylysine
No known risks
polylysine is an amino acid, peptide, protein-related or glycosaminoglycan cosmetic conditioning ingredient. Expected systemic exposure from normal topical use is low, and relevant cosmetic-family assessments did not identify a pregnancy-specific concern. Manufacturing quality and residual allergenic proteins remain relevant where applicable.
Sources: CIR assessments of alpha-amino acids, plant-derived amino acids, proteins and peptides https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/safety-assessment-%CE%B1-amino-acids-used-cosmetics; European Commission CosIng
Full recorded ingredient list
Water, Azelaic Acid, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Polylysine
Ingredient ratings refreshed 1 October 2026. Formulas vary by market and can change. Always compare with your packaging.
Questions about this assessment
Why does The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief have a Low risk rating?
The recorded formula includes 2 ingredient entries with risk flags: Azelaic Acid (Low risk), Phenoxyethanol (Low risk). These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail. The product score is a stored assessment, not a clinical safety guarantee.
Is this assessment based only on the azelaic acid?
No. Azelaic Acid appears in the recorded ingredient list, but this page shows the finished product's stored assessment and the available ratings for its other ingredients too. An assessment of one headline ingredient does not establish the suitability of every formula containing it.
Has every ingredient in The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief been assessed?
17 of 17 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
Does this assessment apply to my The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief?
Only if the ingredient list on your packaging matches the recorded formula shown here. Formulas can differ by market and change over time. Compare the full list, not just the product name; report a mismatch if it differs.
Does this pregnancy assessment also establish breastfeeding suitability?
No. This page presents a pregnancy-focused product assessment. Do not infer a breastfeeding conclusion from its score or label; breastfeeding requires a separate assessment of the formula and how it is used.
