What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Piper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingSqualane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
C20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, C20-22 Alcohols, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Agave Rigida Extract
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-37
Hydroxypropyl Bis-Hydroxyethyldimonium Chloride
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingParfum
Masking
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citronellol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Agave Rigida Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Polyquaternium-37, Hydroxypropyl Bis-Hydroxyethyldimonium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
Reviews
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 also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Water. 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
