What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-37
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPereskia Aculeata Callus Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Alanine
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Histidine
Humectant
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Threonine
Valine
MaskingCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter
Skin Conditioning
Momordica Cochinchinensis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
PCA
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningXylitol
Humectant
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingEthyl Oleate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
C13-16 Isoalkane
SolventPolyquaternium-68
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Lignosulfonate
SurfactantGalactoarabinan
Caprylic Acid
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
MaskingLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-37, Isopropyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Pereskia Aculeata Callus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Irvingia Gabonensis Kernel Butter, Momordica Cochinchinensis Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Panthenol, PCA, Phytic Acid, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Trehalose, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Triheptanoin, Xylitol, Ethyl Linoleate, Octyldodecanol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Ethyl Oleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, C13-16 Isoalkane, Polyquaternium-68, Sodium Phosphate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Lignosulfonate, Galactoarabinan, Caprylic Acid, Propanediol, Sorbitan Oleate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Lactic Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Dimethicone
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Surfactant
Ceteareth-20
CleansingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-11
Polyquaternium-37
Polyquaternium-72
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Eugenol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycol Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ceteareth-20, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Polyquaternium-11, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-72, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Eugenol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance. It can be synthetically created or naturally occurring.
The scent of Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is described as "flowery" but can also be "woody".
Naturally occurring Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone may be found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the yeast used to make wine and bread.
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 Alpha-Isomethyl IononeCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholEugenol is naturally found in cloves, basil, and bay leaves. It is an aromatic oil used to add fragrance to a product. The scent of eugenol is described as "clove-like". Eugenol is a known EU allergen, meaning it causes contact allergies.
Studies show eugenol possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Besides cosmetics, eugenol is also added as a flavor in teas and cakes.
Learn more about EugenolLinalool 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWe don't have a description for Polyquaternium-37 yet.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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
