What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantChitosan
Jojoba Esters
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingC12-14 Sec-Pareth-5
EmulsifyingC12-14 Sec-Pareth-9
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePolyquaternium-37
Lactic Acid
BufferingAcrylates Copolymer
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingDecylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventDisodium EDTA
Tetrasodium EDTA
Benzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, C13-15 Alkane, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Chitosan, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-5, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-9, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37, Lactic Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Parfum, Decylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Isopropyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBrassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-28
Dimethicone
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ceteareth-33
CleansingPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, C13-15 Alkane, Parfum, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein, Polyquaternium-28, Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-47, Disodium EDTA, Ceteareth-33, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Limonene, Citral, Eugenol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolC13-15 Alkane is a group of alkanes with 13 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
It is a solvent and texture enhancer. Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
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 GlycolCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralDimethicone 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 EDTAHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideStearyl 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.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
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