What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePropanediol
SolventDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC13-16 Isoparaffin
SolventNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativePhytantriol
HumectantHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingEtidronic Acid
Geraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningIsoeugenol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isohexadecane, Triheptanoin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Propanediol, Diheptyl Succinate, Phenoxyethanol, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, Isododecane, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ascorbic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Phytantriol, Hydroxycitronellal, Etidronic Acid, Geraniol, Citronellol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Isoeugenol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientCreatine
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
AstringentBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-37
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeTartaric Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Creatine, Polyquaternium-10, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polyquaternium-37, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene
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%.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolWe don't have a description for Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate yet.
We don't have a description for Hydroxypropylgluconamide yet.
Linalool 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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