What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCitrus Glauca Fruit Extract
HumectantSantalum Acuminatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantAcacia Victoriae Fruit Extract
AntioxidantSilk Amino Acids
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberQuaternium-80
Sodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer
Dimethiconol
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberBHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Santalum Acuminatum Fruit Extract, Acacia Victoriae Fruit Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Quaternium-80, Sodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientBis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone
Helichrysum Stoechas Flower Extract
PerfumingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientBetaine
HumectantVanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeQuaternium-91
Myristyl Myristate
EmollientHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberBHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Bis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone, Helichrysum Stoechas Flower Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Water, Hexylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Betaine, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Behentrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-91, Myristyl Myristate, Hexapeptide-11, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, CI 60725
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT 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 BHTCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCyclohexasiloxane is a type of silicone more commonly known as D6. It is an emollient and solvent.
Cyclohexasiloxane is used to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. When applied to the skin, Cyclohexasiloxane evaporates and leaves behind a silky feel.
As an emollient, it can help the skin feel soft and hydrated. It is also used to reduce frizz in hair products.
Learn more about CyclohexasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic compound that provides UVB protection. It often goes by the more common name of octinoxate. It is created from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate absorbs UVB rays with wavelengths between 280-320 nm. UV absorbers protect your skin by using chemical reactions to convert UV rays into heat and energy.
UVB (290-320 nm) rays emit more energy than UVA rays. They are capable of damaging DNA, causing sunburns and are thought to be linked to skin cancer.
The state of Hawaii has banned sunscreens containing octinoxate due to its potential impact on coral reefs. More research is needed to bridge gaps in this research. The European Union allows higher levels of octinoxate in sunscreens than the US and Australia.
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is oil soluble. It is not stable and may lose efficacy when exposed to sunlight.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl MethoxycinnamateGlycerin (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.
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 SorbateSodium 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