What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingWater, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Pvp, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenethyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate
Cleansing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Poloxamer 407
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Cleansing
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water, Alcohol Denat., Pvp, Propanediol, Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Poloxamer 407, Pentylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Linalool, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Sodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Benzyl Salicylate, Phenylpropanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Reviews
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 EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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 ParfumPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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 PhenoxyethanolPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpWater. 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
