What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsobutane
Propane
Polyquaternium-11
Polyquaternium-4
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PEG-6 Cocamide
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Tetrasodium EDTA
PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Limonene
Perfuming
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
PPG-5-Buteth-5
Skin ConditioningAmyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Isoeugenol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Isobutane, Propane, Polyquaternium-11, Polyquaternium-4, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-6 Cocamide, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Tetrasodium EDTA, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Limonene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, PPG-5-Buteth-5, Amyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrofluorocarbon 152a
Polyquaternium-4
Vp/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/18 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Polyquaternium-4, Vp/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Laureth-23, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-17/18 Dimethicone, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Limonene, Coumarin, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Amyl Cinnamal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Amyl Cinnamal is a synthetically produced fragrance. Its scent is reminiscent of jasmine flowers.
Amyl Cinnamal is a known EU allergen. This means it is known to cause skin sensitivity and allergies.
Cinnamyl Alcohol is derived from cinnamon and balsam. It oxidizes quickly when exposed to air.
Cinnamyl Alcohol is a known EU allergen. This means it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be labeled separately on an ingredients list.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinHexyl 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 CinnamalHydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Limonene 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.
We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-4 yet.
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
