What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Polyitaconate
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Squalane
Emollient
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Polyitaconate, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Parfum, Limonene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Squalane, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Linalool, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingC12-16 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
BHT
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Disiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-16 Pareth-9, Trideceth-12, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, BHT, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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
