What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingBetaine
Humectant
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Surfactant
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polyacrylamide
Parfum
Masking
Anise Alcohol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Phytosterols, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Betaine, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Polyacrylamide, Parfum, Anise Alcohol, Coumarin, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Spicata Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Quaternium-80
Dimethicone
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Water, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Phenyl Trimethicone, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Mentha Spicata Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Quaternium-80, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl 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 LimoneneParfum 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
