What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocoglycerides
EmollientEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningBis-(Isostearoyl/Oleoyl Isopropyl) Dimonium Methosulfate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingMalic Acid
BufferingWater, Cocoglycerides, Ethyl Macadamiate, Bis-(Isostearoyl/Oleoyl Isopropyl) Dimonium Methosulfate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Behentrimonium Chloride, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Phenylpropanol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Arachidyl Glucoside, Isopropyl Alcohol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Malic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientBrassica Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCetyl Esters
EmollientCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSantalum Album Oil
MaskingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingElettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
MaskingFerula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
AntimicrobialMaltodextrin
AbsorbentBrassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Isopropyl Myristate, Brassica Alcohol, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Esters, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Santalum Album Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Maltodextrin, Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
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%.
This ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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