What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone/Morpholinomethyl Silsesquioxane Copolymer
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingNigella Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialMenthyl Lactate
MaskingMenthol
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Trideceth-10
CleansingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAcetic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-10
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Propylene Glycol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Amodimethicone/Morpholinomethyl Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Biotin, Panthenol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Menthyl Lactate, Menthol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-10, Ascorbic Acid, Acetic Acid, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Eugenol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingAmodimethicone
Polyquaternium-37
PPG-5-Ceteth-10 Phosphate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAcetamide Mea
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingLactamide Mea
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeXylose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingDimethiconol
EmollientBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningIsoeugenol
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantMelanin
Skin ProtectingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-37, PPG-5-Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Acetamide Mea, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Lactamide Mea, Dimethicone, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Butylene Glycol, Trideceth-6, Behentrimonium Chloride, Xylose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Linalool, Dimethiconol, Benzophenone-4, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Tocopherol, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Isoeugenol, BHT, Melanin, Sodium Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGeraniol 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 GeraniolLinalool 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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