What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
C13-15 Alkane
SolventMel
EmollientPropolis Cera
AntiseborrhoeicSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Castor/Olive Oil Esters
Emollient
Gamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientHydrogenated Farnesene
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningPolyester-37
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingC15-19 Alkane
SolventIsopentyldiol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Benzaldehyde
Masking
Polycitronellol Acetate
Tridecane
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Rose Ketone-4
Perfuming
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
Abrasive
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, C13-15 Alkane, Mel, Propolis Cera, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Castor/Olive Oil Esters, Gamma-Docosalactone, Undecane, Hydrogenated Farnesene, Maltodextrin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Polyester-37, Vp/Va Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, C15-19 Alkane, Isopentyldiol, Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, Benzaldehyde, Polycitronellol Acetate, Tridecane, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Coumarin, Rose Ketone-4, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Mica, Tin Oxide, CI 77491, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-2 Cocoate
Emulsifying
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Isostearyl Isostearate, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycereth-2 Cocoate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Olivate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Citronellol, Coumarin, Linalool
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citronellol 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 CitronellolThis 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 OilCoumarins 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 CoumarinThis 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 ChlorideParfum 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 ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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
