What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDilauryl Thiodipropionate
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Esters, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Niacinamide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Trideceth-6, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Cetrimonium Chloride, CI 15985, CI 19140, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientAmodimethicone
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPEG-100 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantHc Yellow No. 4
Dimethiconol
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSheep Milk
Skin ConditioningLauric Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Cocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Callus
AntimicrobialCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantGolden Extract
Lysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientGlycine
BufferingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRosa Canina Seed Powder
AbrasiveSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingValine
MaskingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantCysteine Hcl
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingAlanine
MaskingThreonine
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingProline
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Amodimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 19140, Behentrimonium Chloride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 1,2-Hexanediol, Steartrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetrimonium Chloride, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Hc Yellow No. 4, Dimethiconol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sheep Milk, Lauric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Camellia Sinensis Callus, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopheryl Acetate, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Golden Extract, Lysine Hcl, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Glycine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Keratin Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Canina Seed Powder, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium Phosphate, Valine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Cysteine Hcl, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Isoleucine, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Threonine, Sodium Phosphate, Proline, Ceramide NP, Methionine, Histidine, Parfum, Linalool
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 lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl 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 AlcoholThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Cetyl 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.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140This ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilThis ingredient is a plant-derived protein made by breaking down wheat proteins into smaller amino acids and peptides. It has skin and hair conditioning properties.
People with known wheat allergy or a history of immediate reactions should be cautious with leave-on products containing hydrolyzed wheat proteins.
Linalool 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 ParfumWater. 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