What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Verbena Officinalis Extract
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract
Masking
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Cupressus Sempervirens Branch/Leaf Oil
Masking
Cupressus Sempervirens Oil
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAbies Sibirica Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Betaine, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Biotin, Panthenol, Caffeine, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Verbena Officinalis Extract, Polyquaternium-10, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Branch/Leaf Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Abies Sibirica Oil, Limonene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat.
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Amodimethicone
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-37
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientLauryl Glucoside
CleansingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
Emollient
Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcetic Acid
BufferingSodium Acetate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Cetrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Persea Gratissima Oil, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Dimethicone, Amodimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyquaternium-37, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Lauryl Glucoside, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Glycerin, Trideceth-12, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Dimethiconol, Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, Trideceth-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideIsopropyl 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 AlcoholLimonene 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 LimonenePanthenol 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 PanthenolWe don't have a description for Sodium Acetate yet.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
