What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serotina Bark Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingSodium PCA
HumectantUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentAlcohol
AntimicrobialTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingWater, Amodimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Benzyl Alcohol, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Prunus Serotina Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Urtica Dioica Extract, Alcohol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilicone Quaternium-16
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialUndeceth-11
EmollientButyloctanol
HumectantUndeceth-5
EmulsifyingStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Benzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTetrasodium EDTA
Limonene
PerfumingAcetic Acid
BufferingSodium Dodoxynol-40 Sulfate
SurfactantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventLinalool
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPEG-50 Shea Butter
EmulsifyingMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Diisopropyl Adipate, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Silicone Quaternium-16, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Undeceth-11, Butyloctanol, Undeceth-5, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Benzyl Benzoate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Limonene, Acetic Acid, Sodium Dodoxynol-40 Sulfate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PEG-50 Shea Butter, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract
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, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Panthenol 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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