What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Esters
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientArachidyl/Behenyl Alcohol
EmulsifyingC13-15 Alkane
SolventParfum
MaskingRice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSchinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Ricinoleate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingItaconic Acid
AntimicrobialCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantArachidyl/Behenyl Betainate Esylate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-37
Amodimethicone
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventGlyceryl Distearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDisodium EDTA
ChelatingPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingAcrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylic Acid
CleansingXylitol
HumectantAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetyl Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Arachidyl/Behenyl Alcohol, C13-15 Alkane, Parfum, Rice Amino Acids, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Panthenol, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Arginine, Itaconic Acid, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Arachidyl/Behenyl Betainate Esylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37, Amodimethicone, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PEG-100 Stearate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylic Acid, Xylitol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientQuaternium-87
CleansingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePanthenyl Ethyl Ether
Citric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberParfum
MaskingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Quaternium-87, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Ceteareth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Propylene Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Parfum, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool, Isopropyl Alcohol, CI 17200, CI 16035
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Cetearyl 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 AlcoholCitric 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.
Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.
However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.
Learn more about Citric AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis 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 ChlorideIsopropyl Alcohol is a small, fast-evaporating alcohol.
Formulators use it as a solvent, a way to think out thick liquids, an antifoaming agent, and occasionally a fragrance ingredient.
Reported use concentrations run from 0.002%-100% and any number over 50% usually comes from a nail product.
Actual skincare numbers run much lower: cleansers (0.3-26%), toners (0.07-7%), face moisturizers (0.04-0.2%).
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed it and concluded it is safe in the present practices of use and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as a non-carcinogenic to humans.
True allergy to this ingredient is uncommon but real: 44 out of 1,450 patients patch tested between 1992-2011 reacted with most cases clustering in people with leg ulcers, occupational hand eczema, or repeated use of Isopropyl Alcohol on already-broken skin.
Irritation and dryness are far more likely than allergy; before you throw away your skincare, just know this is dose-dependent and the risk is modest.
The irritant potential of the alcohols used in hand antiseptics is very low and skin irritation is significantly lower after alcohol application than after detergents (though isopropanol is somewhat more irritating than ethanol).
A 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests so the industry keeps this ingredient at low percentages in eye-area products.
One genuine caution: a 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests, so it belongs at low percentages in eye-area products, which is where the industry already keeps it.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as 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 ParfumSodium 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