What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Isoceteth-20
EmulsifyingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingPhyllostachys Bambusoides Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTuber Magnatum Extract
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-11
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantLaurtrimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitral
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Vp/Va Copolymer, Isoceteth-20, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Pearl Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-11, Caprylyl Glycol, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether, Cetrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Bisulfite, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
Betaine
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCaprylic Acid
CleansingXylitol
HumectantSelaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPiper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingLaurtrimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Betaine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylic Acid, Xylitol, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Sodium Bisulfite, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitric 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 (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLaurtrimonium Chloride is a preservative.
Limonene 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 LinaloolThis ingredient is also known as flaxseed extract. It has skin conditioning and perfuming properties.
Flaxseed naturally contains polysaccharides (sugars) and small amounts of fatty acid-related compounds to help hydrate the skin. The seed also contains antioxidants being studied for its effects on inflammation pathways.
A small clinical trial found topical flaxseed oil improved hand eczema over the course of 4 weeks. In an animal study, topical flaxseed cream supported wound-healing outcomes.
Overall, flaxseed is a great hydrating and barrier supporting ingredient. Like other plant extracts, some rare cases of allergic reactions can occur.
Though flaxseed has a perfuming function according to INCI, this doesn't mean the ingredient is added as a fragrance. It just means the material can contribute an odor or modify the scent of a formula.
Learn more about Linum Usitatissimum Seed ExtractParfum 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 ParfumPotassium 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 SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Bisulfite is an antioxidant and is a preservative.
VP/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