What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAmodimethicone
PPG-2 Methyl Ether
PerfumingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPolyquaternium-11
Parfum
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingTasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Amodimethicone, PPG-2 Methyl Ether, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-11, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citric Acid, Limonene, Trideceth-12, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Geraniol, Citral, Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingDimethicone Pg-Diethylmonium Chloride
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingCoriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingLemongrass Oil
Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
MaskingMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-70
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-80
Silicone Quaternium-8
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrideceth-10
CleansingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Polysorbate 80, Propanediol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, BHT, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Dimethicone Pg-Diethylmonium Chloride, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Glycerin, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-70, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Quaternium-80, Silicone Quaternium-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Trideceth-10, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral, Geraniol
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.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol 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 (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 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 LinaloolPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.
Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Water. 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