What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Cocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningDihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl
HumectantDistearyldimonium Chloride
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone PEG-8 Polyacrylate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Malt Extract, Adenosine Phosphate, Creatine, Yeast Extract, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Dihydroxypropyl Arginine Hcl, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone PEG-8 Polyacrylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Citric Acid, Parfum, Linalool, Eugenol, Geraniol, Citronellol, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCastor Isostearate Succinate
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPalmamidopropyl Trimonium Methosulfate
Behenamidopropyltrimonium Methosulfate
Biosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Babassuamidopropyltrimonium Methosulfate
EmulsifyingTapioca Starch
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAloe Barbadensis Leaf, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Palmamidopropyl Trimonium Methosulfate, Behenamidopropyltrimonium Methosulfate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Babassuamidopropyltrimonium Methosulfate, Tapioca Starch, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Tocopherol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Alcohol Denat., Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Gluconate, Parfum, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Citral, Eugenol, Citronellol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behentrimonium Methosulfate is an ammonium salt. It is mainly used to prevent static in haircare products as a surfactant.
Surfactants have differing ends: one side is hydrophilic while the other end is hydrophobic.
Surfactants also help your cleansers remove pollutants more easily from the skin.
Learn more about Behentrimonium MethosulfateCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholCitral 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 CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolEugenol is naturally found in cloves, basil, and bay leaves. It is an aromatic oil used to add fragrance to a product. The scent of eugenol is described as "clove-like". Eugenol is a known EU allergen, meaning it causes contact allergies.
Studies show eugenol possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Besides cosmetics, eugenol is also added as a flavor in teas and cakes.
Learn more about EugenolGeraniol 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 GeraniolLimonene 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about Tocopherol