What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePiroctone Olamine
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingTea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingTea-Sulfate
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantLaureth-23
CleansingPoloxamer 407
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLaureth-4
EmulsifyingPEG-4
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Dimethiconol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone, Parfum, Glycol Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Piroctone Olamine, Carbomer, Sodium Salicylate, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Mica, Cocamide Mea, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tea-Sulfate, Titanium Dioxide, Laureth-23, Poloxamer 407, Sodium Benzoate, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Laureth-4, PEG-4, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Panthenol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientAminopropyl Dimethicone
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativePolysilicone-13
Camellia Seed Oil
Lactic Acid
BufferingLysine Lauroyl Glutamate
CleansingSqualane
EmollientRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPEG-2 Laurate
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingAmodimethicone
PPG-2-Deceth-12
EmulsifyingMethylserine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isopentyldiol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Steartrimonium Chloride, Polysilicone-13, Camellia Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Lysine Lauroyl Glutamate, Squalane, Royal Jelly Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Isopropyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG-2 Laurate, Salicylic Acid, Amodimethicone, PPG-2-Deceth-12, Methylserine, Disodium EDTA, Cetrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 17200, CI 15985
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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.
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