What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Dimethicone
EmollientHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantBehenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters
Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningTartaric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Amodimethicone, Dimethicone, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Behenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethiconol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Ceramide Ng, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Caramel
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBetaine
HumectantParfum
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPropylene Glycol
HumectantQuaternium-80
Valine
MaskingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOleic Acid
EmollientSqualane
EmollientMalic Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHistidine
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientWater, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Parfum, Panthenol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Quaternium-80, Valine, Glyceryl Oleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oleic Acid, Squalane, Malic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Aminomethyl Propanol, Histidine, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
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.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIsopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
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.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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