What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientStearalkonium Chloride
PreservativeBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeParfum
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningAcetum
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium PCA
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCitral
PerfumingCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Linalool
PerfumingGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingGeraniol
PerfumingHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningVanillin
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasivePyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPanicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingLauryl Alcohol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAcetic Acid
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Arachidyl Glucoside, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Acetum, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Alcohol, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Citral, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Panthenol, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Limonene, Polysorbate 80, Geraniol, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Vanillin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Myristyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Lauryl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Acetic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Cocoyl Amino Acids
CleansingChlorhexidine Dihydrochloride
AntimicrobialStearyl Alcohol
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientPotassium Dimethicone PEG-7 Panthenyl Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSodium Sarcosinate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientArginine
MaskingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Octyldodecanol, Sodium PCA, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Potassium Dimethicone PEG-7 Panthenyl Phosphate, Sodium Sarcosinate, Propylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Arginine, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholIsopropyl Alcohol is a small, fast-evaporating alcohol.
Formulators use it as a solvent, a way to think out thick liquids, an antifoaming agent, and occasionally a fragrance ingredient.
Reported use concentrations run from 0.002%-100% and any number over 50% usually comes from a nail product.
Actual skincare numbers run much lower: cleansers (0.3-26%), toners (0.07-7%), face moisturizers (0.04-0.2%).
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed it and concluded it is safe in the present practices of use and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as a non-carcinogenic to humans.
True allergy to this ingredient is uncommon but real: 44 out of 1,450 patients patch tested between 1992-2011 reacted with most cases clustering in people with leg ulcers, occupational hand eczema, or repeated use of Isopropyl Alcohol on already-broken skin.
Irritation and dryness are far more likely than allergy; before you throw away your skincare, just know this is dose-dependent and the risk is modest.
The irritant potential of the alcohols used in hand antiseptics is very low and skin irritation is significantly lower after alcohol application than after detergents (though isopropanol is somewhat more irritating than ethanol).
A 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests so the industry keeps this ingredient at low percentages in eye-area products.
One genuine caution: a 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests, so it belongs at low percentages in eye-area products, which is where the industry already keeps it.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholMyristyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Despite the word "alcohol", it has nothing in common with the drying kind you find in hand sanitizer.
This ingredient is a waxy solid that formulators use to thicken creams, help oil + water stay mixed, soften skin, and boost foam.
Concentration use usually lands somewhere between 0.1-3% for face products.
Allergies to this ingredient are uncommon and most reported cases from from medication creams rather than cosmetics.
This ingredient does have a comedogenic rating of 2, but this doesn't mean a formula with this ingredient will clog pores. Human testing has proved that any finished product with this ingredient won't automatically make you break out; it really comes down to concentration, formula, and your skin.
The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty alcohols with a chain length above 12 carbons, and this ingredient is a C14 primary fatty alcohol. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Myristyl AlcoholParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium PCA (the salt of PCA) is one of the most well-established humectants in skincare.
Why is it so special? Your skin already makes it naturally; it's a natural component of your skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), or the mix of water-binding compounds inside your skin cells that keeps things soft and hydrated.
As a cosmetic ingredient, it grabs water and holds it in the upper layers of skin to smooth roughness and ease dehydration.
There's some clinical support for the NMF approach with a study showing that a cream built to mimic the skin's NMF significantly boosted hydration.
Safety-wise, this ingredient non-irritating, non-comedogenic, and non-phototoxic in testing, with minimal skin absorption.
It also works really well with other hydrators like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, and typical usage is somewhere between 0.2-4%.
Learn more about Sodium PCAStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water