What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycol Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingDimethiconol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxystearic Acid
CleansingIsohexadecane
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPalmitic Acid
EmollientParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
AbrasiveSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingStearamide Amp
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 16255
Cosmetic ColorantCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Stearic Acid, Dihydroxyacetone, Dimethicone, Glycol Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Caramel, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxystearic Acid, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Myristate, Maltodextrin, Palmitic Acid, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearamide Amp, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 16255, CI 47005
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientMagnesium Sulfate
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Citrate
BufferingGeraniol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAnise Alcohol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dihydroxyacetone, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Propylene Carbonate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Limonene, Sodium Citrate, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Tocopherol, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Anise Alcohol, Coumarin, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance. It can be synthetically created or naturally occurring.
The scent of Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is described as "flowery" but can also be "woody".
Naturally occurring Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone may be found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the yeast used to make wine and bread.
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 Alpha-Isomethyl IononeCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitronellol 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 CitronellolCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinDihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is a simple sugar. It is frequently used in self-tanning products.
DHA binds to the amino acids in your dead skin cells to create a brown/orange color. Darkening begins to kick in a few hours after application and will continue to develop for up to 3 days. This ingredient can be drying.
Both the US and the EU have approved DHA in self-tanning products. In the EU, DHA is allowed at a maximum concentration of 10%. Most tanning products usually contain amounts between 3-5%.
If you are pregnant or have underlying medical conditions, it is best to speak with a dermatologist about using self-tanning products.
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeGeraniol 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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene 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.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water