What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantVp/Va Copolymer
PEG-7 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG/PPG-25/25 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCoceth-7
EmulsifyingPPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Lactic Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Sulfate
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventLaurtrimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Vp/Va Copolymer, PEG-7 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, PEG/PPG-25/25 Dimethicone, Laureth-7, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Coceth-7, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Trehalose, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Cetrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Sulfate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Benzophenone-4, Citronellol, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeVp/Va Copolymer
Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate
CleansingParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-16
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPolyquaternium-6
Xylose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Alcohol Denat., PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-16, Sodium Citrate, Polyquaternium-6, Xylose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citronellol, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citronellol 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 CitronellolLimonene 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 ParfumPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolVP/VA Copolymer is a synthetic polymer made by joining two smaller molecules (vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate) into a larger chain.
It is mainly used as a film-former and fixing agent. When a product dries, it creates a thin and flexible layer on the skin, hair, or nails. This film helps hold hairstyles into place, adds a smooth feel to skin, and traps moisture to reduce dryness.
Irritation is rare at normal concentrations and it doesn't penetrate deeply into skin.
Learn more about Vp/Va CopolymerWater. 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