What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientAmodimethicone
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialAmodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingTrideceth-5
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Parfum, Behentrimonium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Cetyl Alcohol, Amodimethicone, Cetrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Trideceth-5, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Cyclopentasiloxane, Citronellol, Geraniol, Phenoxyethanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientOleyl Erucate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCandelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantEquisetum Arvense Leaf Extract
AstringentGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientCalcium Gluconate
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil
AstringentHeliotropine
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingStyrax Tonkinensis Resin Oil
PerfumingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingJasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Vegetable Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Oleyl Erucate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Gluconolactone, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aminomethyl Propanol, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Oleate, Calcium Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Chloride, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Geranyl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Oil, Heliotropine, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Styrax Tonkinensis Resin Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Limonene, Eugenol, Geraniol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCetearyl 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 AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 OilLimonene 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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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