What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsobutane
Propane
Polyquaternium-11
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Amaranth Protein
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantArginine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantVp/Va Copolymer
Laureth-4
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-4
Glycine
BufferingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Isobutane, Propane, Polyquaternium-11, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Lactate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Arginine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Cetrimonium Chloride, Tocopherol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Laureth-4, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyquaternium-4, Glycine, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Propane
Butane
Polyquaternium-11
Isobutane
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSteareth-21
CleansingParfum
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberSodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Vp/Va Copolymer, Propane, Butane, Polyquaternium-11, Isobutane, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-21, Parfum, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Benzophenone-4, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Geraniol, Amyl Cinnamal
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 EthylhexylglycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalThis ingredient is a low-molecular weight gas using as a propellant in foams, sprays, and mousses.
It is not intended to interact with skin in a meaningful way as it evaporates almost immediately after dispensing and only leaving behind the actual product formula.
If it does somehow make it onto your skin, it is chemically inert and does not penetrate or get absorbed into skin. Safety assessments note that adverse skin reactions to this ingredient are uncommon.
Learn more about IsobutaneLimonene 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 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 ParfumPEG-12 Dimethicone is a type of water-soluble silicone. It has skin conditioning and hydrating properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's stability is decreased by strong acid or alkali.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-11 yet.
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 SorbatePropane is a gas derived from petroleum and natural gas. In cosmetics, its only used as an aerosol propellant (it pushes your product out of the can when you press the nozzle).
That's why you'll find it in hair sprays, dry shampoos, deodorants, mousses, shaving foams, and sunscreen sprays.
It is volatile, meaning it only remains on skin for less than 10 seconds before evaporating. It doesn't really linger long enough on skin to act as a skincare ingredient in any meaningful way.
Hairspray concentrations are between 6-17%.
The CIR Expert Panel concluded it to be safe as a cosmetic ingredient under present concentration and usage.
Learn more about PropaneSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideVP/VA Copolymer is a synthetic polymer made by joining two smaller molecules (vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate) into a larger chain.
It is mainly used as a film-former and fixing agent. When a product dries, it creates a thin and flexible layer on the skin, hair, or nails. This film helps hold hairstyles into place, adds a smooth feel to skin, and traps moisture to reduce dryness.
Irritation is rare at normal concentrations and it doesn't penetrate deeply into skin.
Learn more about Vp/Va CopolymerWater. 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