What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylate-2 Crosspolymer
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate-2 Crosspolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Amyl Cinnamal, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventMaltodextrin/Vp Copolymer
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAcrylates Copolymer
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Honey
Keratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSilk Amino Acids
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHoney
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbic Acid
PreservativeCoumarin
PerfumingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Pvp, Polysorbate 20, Aminomethyl Propanol, Acrylates Copolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey, Keratin Amino Acids, Silk Amino Acids, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sorbitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Honey, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Coumarin, Caramel, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Parfum 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 Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a sulfate with surfactant properties.
The surfactant property make it a great foam creator and cleansing agent. Surfactants help bind ingredients that normally do not mix.
Some studies have shown skin irritation due to prolonged SLS use.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a milder version of SLS.
Learn more about Sodium Lauryl SulfateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water