What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeParfum
MaskingOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientAmodimethicone
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingChlorhexidine Dihydrochloride
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXylose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingIsoeugenol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Cetyl Esters, Amodimethicone, Sodium Benzoate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Limonene, Tocopherol, Trideceth-6, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylose, Panthenol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientSilicone Quaternium-22
PPG-3 Myristyl Ether
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientMalic Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Oleic Acid
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientAlcohol Denat., Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Water, Propylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Parfum, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Silicone Quaternium-22, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, Isopropyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Oleate, Malic Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Oleic Acid, Squalane, Citric Acid, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
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 AcidIsopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholLimonene 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 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 ParfumTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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