What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isobutane
Propane
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Butane
Water
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Denatonium Benzoate
Masking
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pearl
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Isobutane, Propane, Alcohol Denat., Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butane, Water, Parfum, Isopropyl Myristate, Silica, T-Butyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Benzophenone-4, Glycine Soja Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Denatonium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Pearl, Xanthan Gum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Isobutane
Propane
Sd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Parfum
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
Propylene Carbonate
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Bambusa Arundinacea Juice
Abrasive
Oryza Sativa Hull Powder
Abrasive
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningApium Graveolens Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Vegetable Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Isobutane, Propane, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Parfum, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isopropyl Myristate, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Caffeine, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Glycerin, Bambusa Arundinacea Juice, Oryza Sativa Hull Powder, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Biotin, Phenoxyethanol, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Vegetable Amino Acids, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate is a synthetic powder used as an absorbent, thickener, and anti-caking agent.
As an absorbent, it is great at mattifying skin by soaking up the oil. This is why you'll find it in a range of products from makeup to moisturizers.
This ingredient is considered a modified starch. Starch can also be found naturally in plants.
One study from 1991 found that 5% of this ingredient enhanced titanium dioxide SPF by as much as 40%. The study found 1% titanium dioxide had a 5.6 SPF and adding 5% of aluminum starch octenylsuccinate boosted it to an SPF of 8.1
Although “aluminum” in an ingredient name can raise red flags for some consumers, the form and usage context matter significantly. For typical topical applications, there is no substantial evidence of health risks - such as cancer, neurotoxicity, or systemic “aluminum overload.”
Learn more about Aluminum Starch OctenylsuccinateCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalThis ingredient is a low-molecular weight gas using as a propellant in foams, sprays, and mousses.
It is not intended to interact with skin in a meaningful way as it evaporates almost immediately after dispensing and only leaving behind the actual product formula.
If it does somehow make it onto your skin, it is chemically inert and does not penetrate or get absorbed into skin. Safety assessments note that adverse skin reactions to this ingredient are uncommon.
Learn more about IsobutaneIsopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.
It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.
The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.
Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateLimonene 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 ParfumPropane is a gas derived from petroleum and natural gas. In cosmetics, its only used as an aerosol propellant (it pushes your product out of the can when you press the nozzle).
That's why you'll find it in hair sprays, dry shampoos, deodorants, mousses, shaving foams, and sunscreen sprays.
It is volatile, meaning it only remains on skin for less than 10 seconds before evaporating. It doesn't really linger long enough on skin to act as a skincare ingredient in any meaningful way.
Hairspray concentrations are between 6-17%.
The CIR Expert Panel concluded it to be safe as a cosmetic ingredient under present concentration and usage.
Learn more about PropaneWater. 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
