What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientPolyquaternium-6
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Polyquaternium-6, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHordeum Vulgare Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingGlucose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantStearamine Oxide
CleansingOlealkonium Chloride
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglyceryl-10 Esters
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Xylitol
HumectantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Polyquaternium-11
C12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingThreonine
Algin
MaskingChitosan
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Wheat Amino Acids, Soy Amino Acids, Citric Acid, Glucose, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearamine Oxide, Olealkonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglyceryl-10 Esters, Xylitylglucoside, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Anhydroxylitol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Xylitol, Trideceth-12, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-11, C12-13 Pareth-9, Cetrimonium Chloride, Arginine Hcl, Serine, Threonine, Algin, Chitosan, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilBehentrimonium 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 MethosulfateCetearyl 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl 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.
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 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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideParfum 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.
Water. 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