What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Propylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Barley Protein
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSh-Oligopeptide-78
Limonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialWater, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Alcohol Denat., Steartrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glutamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Myristyl Alcohol, Beta-Carotene, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Sh-Oligopeptide-78, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Amodimethicone
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDisodium EDTA
Trideceth-12
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-22
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingMyristyl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCysteine
AntioxidantCystine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentArginine
MaskingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Protein Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sesame Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Barley Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Amodimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Steartrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Glutamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Myristyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Glyceryl Oleate, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyquaternium-22, Lauryl Glucoside, Myristyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Cysteine, Cystine, Methionine, Maltodextrin, Arginine, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Avena Sativa Protein Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Sesame Protein, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Sodium Citrate, Hexyl Cinnamal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Behentrimonium Methosulfate is an ammonium salt. It is mainly used to prevent static in haircare products as a surfactant.
Surfactants have differing ends: one side is hydrophilic while the other end is hydrophobic.
Surfactants also help your cleansers remove pollutants more easily from the skin.
Learn more about Behentrimonium MethosulfateButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolCetyl 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.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlutamic Acid is an amino acid that is found in all living organisms. Our bodies use this to help nerve cells in the brain communicate with other cells.
In cosmetics, glutamic acid is a famous humectant. It draws water from the air to your skin, keeping your skin hydrated (like hyaluronic acid).
An in-vitro study from 2024 found glutamic acid to play a role in inhibiting inflammation and thus a potential skin-soothing ingredient.
Other studies show it to be have potential wound healing, skin barrier repair, and hair growth properties.
Glutamic acid has poor solubility in water and other solvents.
Learn more about Glutamic AcidHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Barley Protein yet.
Myristyl Alcohol is type of fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
As an emollient, myristyl alcohol hydrates the skin by trapping moisture in.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols.
The FDA allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Myristyl AlcoholParfum 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 GlycolSteartrimonium Chloride is a preservative.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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