What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sucrose
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingMenthyl Lactate
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Silica
Abrasive
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Menthol
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Sucrose, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Menthyl Lactate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Silica, Cocamide Mipa, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Benzoate, Menthol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Carvone
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Sodium Chloride
MaskingLinalool
Perfuming
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Citral
Perfuming
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Pinene
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetyl Esters, Caffeine, Parfum, Tartaric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Linalyl Acetate, Carvone, Limonene, Sodium Chloride, Linalool, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Citral, Pentylene Glycol, Pinene, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolLimonene 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.
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 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
