What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrofluorocarbon 152a
Butane
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch
AbsorbentIsobutane
Parfum
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingKaolin
AbrasiveAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantC12-16 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydrofluorocarbon 152a, Butane, Alcohol Denat., Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch, Isobutane, Parfum, Water, Trisiloxane, Dimethicone, Limonene, Cetrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Panthenol, Diisopropyl Adipate, Linalool, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, C11-15 Pareth-7, Kaolin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Trideceth-12, Glycerin, C12-16 Pareth-9, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment
Hydrofluorocarbon 152a
Dimethyl Ether
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientVp/Va Copolymer
Isododecane
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingAmp-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydrofluorocarbon 152a, Dimethyl Ether, Alcohol Denat., Oryza Sativa Extract, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Vp/Va Copolymer, Isododecane, Silica, Parfum, Amp-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Cetrimonium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Benzophenone-4, Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract comes from sunflower seeds.
Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E. Studies show sunflowers contain antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on the skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed ExtractWe don't have a description for Hydrofluorocarbon 152a yet.
Linalool 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 LinaloolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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