What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPetroleum Distillates
SolventHydrogenated Petroleum Resin
Lanolin
EmollientPEG-75 Lanolin
EmollientOctanediol
Anhydroglucitol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAmodimethicone
7-Methoxy-3,7-Dimethyloct-1-Ene
PerfumingAlpha-Methyl-Alpha-Ionone
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialC12-16 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingLard Glycerides
EmollientCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Cinnamate
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Petroleum Distillates, Hydrogenated Petroleum Resin, Lanolin, PEG-75 Lanolin, Octanediol, Anhydroglucitol, Butylene Glycol, Amodimethicone, 7-Methoxy-3,7-Dimethyloct-1-Ene, Alpha-Methyl-Alpha-Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Glycerin, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Trideceth-9, Alcohol, C12-16 Pareth-9, Lard Glycerides, Citronellol, Benzyl Cinnamate, Geraniol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Benzoate, Amyl Cinnamal, Eugenol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Amodimethicone
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingSargassum Filipendula Extract
Skin ProtectingButylene Glycol
HumectantLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingDimethyl Urea
Glycerin
HumectantBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-75 Lanolin
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Cinnamate
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Amodimethicone, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Collagen Amino Acids, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Butylene Glycol, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Dimethyl Urea, Glycerin, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, C11-15 Pareth-7, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-75 Lanolin, Sorbitol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Cinnamate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
Amyl Cinnamal is a synthetically produced fragrance. Its scent is reminiscent of jasmine flowers.
Amyl Cinnamal is a known EU allergen. This means it is known to cause skin sensitivity and allergies.
Benzyl Cinnamate is a fragrance. It is derived from cinnamic acid and Benzyl alcohol.
As a known EU allergen, benzyl cinnamate is likely to cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
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 SalicylateButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitronellol 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 CitronellolEugenol 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 EugenolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexyl 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 CinnamalHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseLinalool 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 LinaloolPeg-75 Lanolin is created from lanolin, a wax derived from animals with wool.
It is an emollient and emulsifier.
The 75 refers to the average number of ethylene oxide used to create this ingredient. (75 mol EO average molar ratio)
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-75 LanolinPhenoxyethanol 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water