What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPEG-40 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingStearalkonium Chloride
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialLactobacillus/Tomato Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPrunus Serotina Bark Extract
MaskingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialCymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAcyl Coenzyme A Desaturase
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeWater, Vp/Va Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Parfum, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Amyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Geraniol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Tomato Fruit Ferment Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Keratin Amino Acids, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Prunus Serotina Bark Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Acyl Coenzyme A Desaturase, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberPolyquaternium-11
Glycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventParfum
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Behentrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Panthenol, Quaternium-95, Polyquaternium-11, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Propanediol, Parfum, Geraniol, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Amyl Cinnamal is a synthetically produced fragrance. Its scent is reminiscent of jasmine flowers.
Amyl Cinnamal is a known EU allergen. This means it is known to cause skin sensitivity and allergies.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl 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.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPanthenol 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 a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water