What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningInositol
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Linalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingPantolactone
HumectantGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Diglycerin, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pvp, Panthenol, Inositol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Allantoin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Linalool, Citronellol, Pantolactone, Geraniol, Limonene, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Stearate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Coconut Oil
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 40
EmulsifyingSorbitan Palmitate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantSorbic Acid
PreservativeCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingPinene
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingWater, PEG-8 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 40, Sorbitan Palmitate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, BHT, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, CI 19140, Sorbic Acid, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Limonene, Citral, Pinene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Limonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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