What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientPseudozyma Epicola/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil/Camellia Japonica Seed Oil/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil/Sunflower Seed Oil/Sweet Almond Oil Ferment Extract
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantNephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hemp Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeBehenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters
Propylene Glycol
HumectantQuaternium-80
Glycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sorbic Acid
PreservativeCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Pseudozyma Epicola/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil/Camellia Japonica Seed Oil/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil/Sunflower Seed Oil/Sweet Almond Oil Ferment Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Nephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Persea Gratissima Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hemp Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Potassium Sorbate, Behenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters, Propylene Glycol, Quaternium-80, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Parfum, CI 17200, CI 19140, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzoic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sorbic Acid, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyester-37
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetrimonium Bromide
AntimicrobialPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyester-37, Propanediol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Bromide, Persea Gratissima Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Diheptyl Succinate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Squalane, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ceramide NP, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Cetearyl 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 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 AcidThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideHexyl 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 CinnamalParfum 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 ParfumThis ingredient is also known as Avocado oil. It's the cold-pressed oil from the flesh of the avocado fruit packed with fatty acids (mostly oleic acid).
The rich fatty acid profile allows it to function as a skin conditioning agent and emollient; it helps soften and smooth skin while reducing water loss.
Preclinical research has found that topical avocado oil increased collagen synthesis and reduced inflammation during wound healing, giving it some skin-repairing credibility.
The unsaponifiable fraction of the oil is also interesting: studies on avocado unsaponifiables showed that it helped skin produce more collagen and other structural compounds that support healing.
The CIR Expert Panel has found this ingredient to be non-irritating in formulations.
It's a great ingredient for dry or compromised skin. Just know it may not be fungal acne safe. This is because the oleic acid content falls within the range that Malassezia can use as a food source.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima OilTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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