What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBehenyl/Octyldodecyl Propanediol Citrate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Squalane
EmollientArginine
MaskingEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantDistearyldimonium Chloride
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTartaric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Propanediol Citrate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Corn Starch Modified, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Squalane, Arginine, Ethyl Macadamiate, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pvp, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Linalool, Citral, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Eugenol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Farnesol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tartaric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCreatine
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
AstringentBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-37
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeTartaric Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Creatine, Polyquaternium-10, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polyquaternium-37, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene
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%.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
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 Benzyl AlcoholCetearyl 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.
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 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate yet.
We don't have a description for Hydroxypropylgluconamide yet.
Limonene 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 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWe don't have a description for Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine yet.
Tartaric acid is an AHA with exfoliating and antioxidant properties. It is found in many fruits, such as tamarind, grapes, bananas, and avocados.
AHAs provide chemical exfoliation, helping to improve skin tone and texture.
Tartaric acid is not as well studied as other AHAs, such as glycolic acid.
Learn more about Tartaric AcidWater. 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