What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningEthylparaben
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTetrasodium EDTA
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPropylparaben
PreservativeCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 28440
Cosmetic ColorantArachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Germ Oil
EmollientCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantBHT
AntioxidantPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantJuglans Regia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dihydroxyacetone, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Phenoxyethanol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Parfum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, DMDM Hydantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Troxerutin, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Benzophenone-4, Maltodextrin, Tetrasodium EDTA, CI 19140, Propylparaben, CI 16035, CI 28440, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Zea Mays Germ Oil, CI 42090, BHT, Propyl Gallate, Juglans Regia Seed Oil, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Citrate
BufferingGeraniol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAnise Alcohol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dihydroxyacetone, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Propylene Carbonate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene, Sodium Citrate, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Tocopherol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Anise Alcohol, Coumarin, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance. It can be synthetically created or naturally occurring.
The scent of Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is described as "flowery" but can also be "woody".
Naturally occurring Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone may be found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the yeast used to make wine and bread.
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 Alpha-Isomethyl IononeBenzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinDihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexyl 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 CinnamalLimonene 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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