What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCalcium Benzoate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventParfum
MaskingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBehenamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSr-(Wasp Spider Polypeptide-1 Oligopeptide-178)
Skin ConditioningPolyporus Umbellatus Extract
Skin ProtectingSr-Spider Polypeptide-1
Skin ProtectingLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Barley Protein
HumectantCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantXimenia Americana Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningOrbignya Speciosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Dioleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientFructose
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSodium Chloride
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialWater, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Sr-(Wasp Spider Polypeptide-1 Oligopeptide-178), Polyporus Umbellatus Extract, Sr-Spider Polypeptide-1, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Orbignya Speciosa Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Farnesol, Geraniol, Linalool, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Potassium Sorbate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Fructose, Stearyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Citrate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Caprylate, Propanediol, Sodium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralLimonene 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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