What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantDicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePropanediol
SolventHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingChlorella Pyrenoidosa Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingCeteareth-20
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningApigenin
AntioxidantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Crambe Maritima Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Benzoate
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Butylene Glycol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Citric Acid, Chlorella Pyrenoidosa Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Ceteareth-20, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Crambe Maritima Leaf Extract, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Isopropyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Potassium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, CI 42090, CI 60730
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingOleyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientQuaternium-91
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Lauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientSqualane
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Citric Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyl Bis-Hydroxyethyldimonium Chloride
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-55
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
CleansingHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativePotassium Benzoate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Oleyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Quaternium-91, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Lauryl Laurate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Squalane, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Bis-Hydroxyethyldimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-55, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ceteareth-20, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Potassium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, CI 17200, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ceteareth-20 is an emulsifier and surfactant made by reacting cetearyl alcohol with 20 moles of ethylene oxide.
This gives it both oil and water-loving properties that makes it an effect emulsifier; it's really great at pulling oil droplets into water to create a stable, creamy, and easy-to-spread base.
Typical use ranges from 0.5-30%. Most leave-on products are in the 1-10% zone.
The 20 ethylene oxide units is well above the PEG-10 threshold and therefore not a food source for Malassezia (it's fungal acne safe).
This ingredient has a comedogenic rating of 2 and an irritancy rating of 3. These numbers come from testing the raw ingredient on rabbit ears and doesn't reflect how it will behave in a finished product.
In practice, this ingredient is a well-tolerated ingredient. The ratings reflect cautious lab conditions and not real-world use. Just be sure to patch test any formulas you feel unsure about.
Learn more about Ceteareth-20Citric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAParfum 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.
This ingredient is a preservative and inhibits the growth of fungi, certain bacteria, yeast, and mold.
It is the potassium salt of benzoic acid.
Potassium benzoate works best in products with a low pH level (below 4.5).
Learn more about Potassium BenzoatePotassium 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 SorbatePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWe don't have a description for Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine yet.
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