What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingAmodimethicone
Cetyl Esters
EmollientParfum
MaskingPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventLactic Acid
BufferingDimethiconol
EmollientArginine
MaskingMaleic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingTrideceth-10
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Linoleate
EmollientAcetic Acid
BufferingCapsicum Annuum Extract
MaskingGlyceryl Linolenate
EmollientMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Arachidonate
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingCI 40800
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Amodimethicone, Cetyl Esters, Parfum, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Lactic Acid, Dimethiconol, Arginine, Maleic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Trideceth-10, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Dextrin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Linoleate, Acetic Acid, Capsicum Annuum Extract, Glyceryl Linolenate, Malt Extract, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Biotin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Limonene, CI 40800
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientAmodimethicone
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium Citrate
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingC15-19 Alkane
SolventDicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Esters
EmollientHydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingLimonene
PerfumingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingDilauryl Thiodipropionate
AntioxidantCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingTrisodium Hedta
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Amodimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Glycerin, Citric Acid, C15-19 Alkane, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Esters, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Limonene, Trideceth-6, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Citronellol, Trisodium Hedta
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
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 AlcoholCetyl Esters is an emollient with an interesting backstory: it's a synthetic wax originally designed to be a copy of spermaceti, a waxy material that used to be harvested from whales.
This ingredient delivers the same "velvety" feel without anything animal-derived (usually made from coconut or palm-sourced fatty alcohols/acids).
Chemically, it's a blend of esters from 14-18 fatty acids and alcohols that is a solid at room temperature but melts on contact with skin. It helps soften and smooth the skin while improving the feel and spread of products.
Typical use concentrations range from 1-10% (most commonly 2-5%).
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded it's safe as used and has shown no skin irritation in available studies.
Because it's a blend of fatty acid esters in the chain-length range that Malassezia can feed on, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetyl EstersDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeLimonene 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 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.
Water. 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