What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientChrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract
AntimicrobialStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantKeratin
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingMenthol
MaskingArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantMagnesium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-10
HumectantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningThuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantAmodimethicone
Lecithin
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeLactobacillus/Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract/Honeysuckle Flower Extract/Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract/Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Chrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetrimonium Chloride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glutamic Acid, Glycerin, Keratin, Morus Alba Root Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-12, Menthol, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Panthenol, PEG-10, Persea Gratissima Oil, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Amodimethicone, Lecithin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Behentrimonium Chloride, Lactobacillus/Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract/Honeysuckle Flower Extract/Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract/Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientAmodimethicone
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPEG-100 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantHc Yellow No. 4
Dimethiconol
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSheep Milk
Skin ConditioningLauric Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Cocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Callus
AntimicrobialCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantGolden Extract
Lysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientGlycine
BufferingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRosa Canina Seed Powder
AbrasiveSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingValine
MaskingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantCysteine Hcl
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingAlanine
MaskingThreonine
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingProline
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Amodimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 19140, Behentrimonium Chloride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 1,2-Hexanediol, Steartrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetrimonium Chloride, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Hc Yellow No. 4, Dimethiconol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sheep Milk, Lauric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Camellia Sinensis Callus, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopheryl Acetate, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Golden Extract, Lysine Hcl, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Glycine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Keratin Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Canina Seed Powder, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium Phosphate, Valine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Cysteine Hcl, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Isoleucine, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Threonine, Sodium Phosphate, Proline, Ceramide NP, Methionine, Histidine, Parfum, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Butylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. 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. Be sure to 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.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCetearyl 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.
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.
Cyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlutamic Acid is an amino acid that is found in all living organisms. Our bodies use this to help nerve cells in the brain communicate with other cells.
In cosmetics, glutamic acid is a famous humectant. It draws water from the air to your skin, keeping your skin hydrated (like hyaluronic acid).
An in-vitro study from 2024 found glutamic acid to play a role in inhibiting inflammation and thus a potential skin-soothing ingredient.
Other studies show it to be have potential wound healing, skin barrier repair, and hair growth properties.
Glutamic acid has poor solubility in water and other solvents.
Learn more about Glutamic AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinYou can find hydrolyzed silk in both haircare and skincare products. According to a manufacturer, it can help improve skin and hair hydration.
This ingredient is created by adding acid or enzymes to 'hydrolyze' silk protein.
Due to the origins of this ingredient, it is not vegan. Silk is an animal product from silkworms.
Depending on the source, this ingredient can be considered cruelty-free. It is created from left-over cocoons of silkworms. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about where their hydrolyzed silk comes from.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed SilkParfum 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 ParfumTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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