What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer
Bis-Isobutyl PEG/PPG-20/35/Amodimethicone Copolymer
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingWater, Gluconolactone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer, Bis-Isobutyl PEG/PPG-20/35/Amodimethicone Copolymer, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 80, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Butylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Phenoxyethanol, Calcium Gluconate, Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Citronellol, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTrideceth-9 Pg-Amodimethicone
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
CleansingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningXylose
HumectantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSerine
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Trideceth-9 Pg-Amodimethicone, Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Xylose, Hexyl Cinnamal, Trideceth-12, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Salicylic Acid, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneLinalool 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water