What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningSteartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Prunus Persica Kernel Oil
Emollient
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Water, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Myristyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Gamma-Docosalactone, Steartrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Prunus Persica Kernel Oil, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Polyacrylate-13
Gelatin
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Polyisobutene
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract
AstringentSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit
EmollientBrassica Oleracea Capitata Juice
Skin ConditioningApium Graveolens Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBrassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caramel, PEG-14m, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Polyacrylate-13, Gelatin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Polyisobutene, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Polysorbate 20, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Juice, Apium Graveolens Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol
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 called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 GlycerinParfum 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.
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
