What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Brassica Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Brassica Alcohol, Cetyl Esters, Cetrimonium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Arginine, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Amodimethicone
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate Dimethicone
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Trideceth-3
EmulsifyingTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingAcetic Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate Dimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trideceth-3, Trideceth-15, Acetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
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 mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
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 AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
