Ozokerite

Ozokerite is an inert wax (mineral-derived) used primarily as a thickener/structurant in sticks and balms, typically at a few percent up to higher levels in anhydrous formulas. Human experience and patch-test data suggest it has low irritation potential because it is non-reactive and not biologically active, though occlusive films can occasionally aggravate very reactive or eczema-prone skin via friction/heat trapping or comedogenicity in some users. Given the high-sensitivity population and real-world leave-on use at meaningful concentrations, I score it as very gentle rather than fully inert. Safety Notes: Ozokerite is a structuring wax used at very low levels (~0.1–1%) in emulsions and leave-on creams/lotions to increase viscosity, improve pay-off, and stabilize oil phases. In color cosmetics and anhydrous sticks (lipsticks, lip balms, eyeliners, deodorant/antiperspirant sticks), it is commonly used at ~5–20% and can reach ~25–35% in high-wax, high-melt-point consumer stick and balm formulas where it serves as a primary gellant/rigid wax. It is rare in rinse-off products, and the upper end is primarily observed in anhydrous leave-on stick formats rather than emulsions.