What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialAmodimethicone
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningLauryl Pyrrolidone
CleansingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyamide-2
Benzoic Acid
MaskingSaccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSaccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Lauryl Pyrrolidone, Trideceth-12, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyamide-2, Benzoic Acid, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Rapeseed Oil
EmollientIsopentyldiol
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Hydroxypropyl Arginine Lauryl/Myristyl Ether Hcl
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyethyl Stearyl Glycinate
Glutamic Acid
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantSqualane
EmollientSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativePEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingPCA
HumectantPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-64
Hydrolyzed Silk Gland Powder
HumectantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Isopentyldiol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Arginine Lauryl/Myristyl Ether Hcl, Dihydroxyethyl Stearyl Glycinate, Glutamic Acid, Trehalose, Squalane, Steartrimonium Chloride, PEG-90m, PCA, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Polyquaternium-64, Hydrolyzed Silk Gland Powder, Royal Jelly Extract, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, CI 15985
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
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%.
This ingredient is a plant-derived protein made by breaking down wheat proteins into smaller amino acids and peptides. It has skin and hair conditioning properties.
People with known wheat allergy or a history of immediate reactions should be cautious with leave-on products containing hydrolyzed wheat proteins.
Isopropyl 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 AlcoholOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol sourced from plant oils like coconut or palm (or made synthetically).
It is:
You'll likely see this in many BHA products because this is the go-to solvent for salicylic acid.
This ingredient is typically used at levels between 2-20%.
Regarding fungal acne:
In 2019, this ingredient was tested against multiple Malassezia species (the yeast that causes fungal acne) and showed no growth.
Parfum 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.
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 GlycolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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