What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeParfum
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientCaryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSelaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientSaccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyquaternium-37
Mentha Piperita Oil
MaskingMenthyl Ethylamido Oxalate
Skin ConditioningDistearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Pumice
AbrasiveBambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder
AbrasiveMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPiroctone Olamine
PreservativePolyquaternium-11
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCeteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCocos Nucifera Shell Powder
AbrasiveMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentMannitol
HumectantAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingCI 77266
Cosmetic ColorantLactose
HumectantCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCoffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveSorbic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAlgin
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Cocos Nucifera Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-37, Mentha Piperita Oil, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, Distearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Pumice, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Piroctone Olamine, Polyquaternium-11, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Shell Powder, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, CI 77266, Lactose, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Charcoal Powder, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Algin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Bisulfite, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, CI 19140, CI 42090
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 most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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.
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 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 BenzoateWater. 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