What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningEthylparaben
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberTetrasodium EDTA
Propylparaben
PreservativeAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningArachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin ConditioningJuglans Regia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Germ Oil
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentBHT
AntioxidantPropyl Gallate
AntioxidantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 28440
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Dihydroxyacetone, Alcohol Denat., Phenoxyethanol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Xanthan Gum, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, DMDM Hydantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Troxerutin, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Benzophenone-4, Tetrasodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arachis Hypogaea Oil, Juglans Regia Seed Oil, Zea Mays Germ Oil, Maltodextrin, BHT, Propyl Gallate, CI 42090, CI 28440, CI 19140, CI 16035, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Cerasus Fruit Water
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantLecithin
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantMethylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTetrasodium EDTA
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPropylparaben
PreservativeCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantEthylparaben
PreservativeAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTromethamine
BufferingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingWater, Prunus Cerasus Fruit Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, Lecithin, CI 77491, Methylparaben, Parfum, Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, CI 19140, Propylparaben, CI 14700, Ethylparaben, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, CI 17200, Citric Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, CI 42090, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Potassium Sorbate, Tromethamine, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Eugenol
Reviews
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 SalicylateButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
Ethylparaben is a preservative, is a paraben, and is not reef safe.
Geraniol 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 LinaloolMethylparaben is a synthetic preservative and one of the most widely used in the world. It has a simple, but important job: prevent your products from going bad by stopping bacteria, yeast, and mold from growing.
Typical use levels are low, often 0.1-0.3%.
This is also one of the most heavily studied preservatives out there and major regulatory bodies have repeatedly given it the green light.
In 2023, the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) confirmed that this ingredient is safe up to 0.4% on its own, of up to 0.8% when mixed with other paraben esters.
Here's the science behind the noise behind parabens/hormones as well:
Methylparaben shows very weak estrogen-like activity in vitro tests (more than 1,000x weaker than your body's own estradiol). In vivo (live-organism) studies don't support a meaningful endocrine-disrupting effect either.
You get a stronger estrogenic effect from eating tofu, actually.
It's also a low sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon; they usually happen on damage or broken skin.
There is a caveat: France has proposed to formally re-examine its endocrine classification in 2025 so the regulatory conversation isn't fully closed as of yet.
But as it stands today, this ingredient is considered safe at permitted levels.
Learn more about MethylparabenPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propylparaben is a preservative and one of the most widely used members of the paraben family (it's been used in cosmetics for over a century now).
Its only job is to keep your products from going bad.
It works by disrupting microbial cell membranes and enzymes, and is a broad-spectrum protector that works exceptionally well against molds, yeasts, and gram-positive bacteria.
You'll likely see it paired with methylparaben to cover the full range (including gram-negative bacteria).
This ingredient is effective at low concentrations (~0.2-0.5%) and stable across a wide pH range (4.5-7.5 pH). It's effectiveness drops off above pH 8 and it can lose potency when combined with non-ionic surfactants like polysorbate 80 due to micellization.
The regulatory bodies have concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics. The EU has capped it at 0.14% and combined parabens are not to exceed 0.8%.
While parabens do cross the stratum corneum, only about 1% remains for absorption into the body. This is because most of it is metabolized within living skin.
Learn more about PropylparabenTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
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 Water