What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHydrofluorocarbon 152a
Polyurethane-14
Amp-Acrylates Copolymer
Va/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingBisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingJuglans Nigra Shell Extract
AstringentUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentGeranium Maculatum Extract
TonicYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingEquisetum Hyemale Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSymphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingLarrea Divaricata Extract
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingAlcohol Denat., Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Polyurethane-14, Amp-Acrylates Copolymer, Va/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Panthenol, Water, Propylene Glycol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Juglans Nigra Shell Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Equisetum Hyemale Leaf/Stem Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Larrea Divaricata Extract, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHydrofluorocarbon 152a
Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Hydrolyzed Silk
HumectantArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingEquisetum Hyemale Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGeranium Maculatum Extract
TonicHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialJuglans Nigra Shell Extract
AstringentLarrea Divaricata Extract
AntioxidantMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingSymphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentYucca Schidigera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPPG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAlcohol Denat., Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Silk, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Equisetum Hyemale Leaf/Stem Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Juglans Nigra Shell Extract, Larrea Divaricata Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Aminomethyl Propanol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Panthenol, PPG-12 Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Water, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.
Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.
Arctium Lappa Root Extract is from the burdock plant. It is a botanical extract with skin conditioning and soothing properties.
Burdock root contains polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. This can help explain why it's used to calm irritated or red skin.
Evidence in humans is limited to the non-root parts of this plant; topical arctium fruit extract showed improvements in dermal extracellular matrix metabolism and visible wrinkles.
Learn more about Arctium Lappa Root ExtractBenzyl Benzoate is usually created from the condensation of benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol. It is used as a preservative, solvent, and has a floral/balsamic scent in large amounts.
As a preservative, Benzyl Benzoate works against bacteria and fungus. It is often used to treat scabies and lice in medicine.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Due to its fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate can be sensitizing and may cause contact dermatitis. It is a known EU allergen. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Benzyl Benzoate can be naturally found in cranberries and peaches.
Learn more about Benzyl BenzoateCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract comes from the common Marigold plant part of the Asteraceae family. This ingredient is a skin conditioner.
Marigolds contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are a group of substances found naturally in plants. They possess antioxidant and inflammation properties.
This ingredient soothes skin inflammation by inhibiting inhibiting a part of the inflammation process.
Marigolds have been used in traditional medicine throughout Asia and Europe.
Learn more about Calendula Officinalis Flower ExtractChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractThis ingredient comes from the cinnamon tree native to southern China.
Though cinnamon has a wonderful taste, it can cause skin irritation due to its rich coumarins, cinnamaldehyde, and styrene content.
Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolWe don't have a description for Equisetum Hyemale Leaf/Stem Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Geranium Maculatum Extract yet.
Hexyl 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 CinnamalHippophae Rhamnoides Extract comes from the seabuckthorn plant.
The seabuckthorn plant contains carotenoids, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, Vitamin C, linoleic acid, and vitamin E.
The composition (and benefits) of the extract will depend on which part of the plant it comes from.
Learn more about Hippophae Rhamnoides ExtractWe don't have a description for Humulus Lupulus Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Hydrofluorocarbon 152a yet.
We don't have a description for Juglans Nigra Shell Extract yet.
Larrea Divaricata Extract is an antioxidant.
Lemon balm is a mint-family herb with skin conditioning properties. It contains components such as rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, geraniol, citronellal, and ursolic acid.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSage leaf extract is a culinary and medicinal herb with antibacterial, antioxidant, and soothing properties.
This ingredient is made up of 75-90% ursolic acid, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.
This ingredient comes from the leaves of the comfrey plant and has skin conditioning properties.
Comfrey produces a wonderful compound that you might have heard of already: allantoin.
Allantoin is well-studied for promoting the skin's natural repair process and helping skin look smoother. Comfrey is also rich in antioxidants like Rosmarinic acid and Caffeic Acid.
Research has shown that these compounds work together to help calm redness, protect against oxidative stress, and support overall skin health.
Learn more about Symphytum Officinale Leaf ExtractThis ingredient comes form the common thyme plant. It has skin conditioning and perfuming ingredients.
In-vitro studies show strong antioxidant activity due to the high phenolic content of thyme.
Studies also demonstrate it has antimicrobial activity against acne-related bacteria. A 2017 study found this extract exhibited anti-inflammatory effects.
However, this ingredient does have sensitization potential due to its terpene content. Terpenes are among the most common causes of contact dermatitis.
This is kind of a double-edged sword situation where the same compounds that give it antimicrobial power can also irritate reactive skin.
Learn more about Thymus Vulgaris ExtractThis ingredient is more commonly known as nettle extract. It has soothing, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
The antimicrobial properties of nettle come from its gallic acid content.
Water. 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 WaterWe don't have a description for Yucca Schidigera Root Extract yet.