What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrofluorocarbon 152a
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Vp/Va Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates Copolymer
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Hypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingChondrus Crispus
Masking
Gelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingMangifera Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
Emollient
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Magnesium Chloride
Potassium Chloride
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingParfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Alcohol Denat., Vp/Va Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Maris Sal, Cocos Nucifera Water, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Chondrus Crispus, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Hydrated Silica, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Aminomethyl Propanol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Water
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Caprylic Acid
CleansingXylitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Chloride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Water, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyglutamic Acid, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Parfum, Sodium Levulinate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Pvp, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylic Acid, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Amyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
