What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPropoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone
Silicone Quaternium-16/Glycidoxy Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Polysilicone-29
Polyquaternium-11
Citric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningUndeceth-5
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingAcetic Acid
BufferingUndeceth-11
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Parfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingMethyl Ionones
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, Silicone Quaternium-16/Glycidoxy Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Polysilicone-29, Polyquaternium-11, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Undeceth-5, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Trideceth-6, C11-15 Pareth-7, Acetic Acid, Undeceth-11, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Methyl Ionones, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysilicone-29
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSilicone Quaternium-8
Silicone Quaternium-22
Trideceth-10
CleansingPolyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolyacrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysilicone-29, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Silicone Quaternium-8, Silicone Quaternium-22, Trideceth-10, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyacrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCitronellol 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 CitronellolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLimonene 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPolysilicone-29 is a complex silicone polymer. It is also known as Silsoft™ CLX-E.
The manufacturer states this ingredient is a conditioning agent for hair care. The website states this ingredient can help hydrate and repair hair.
It is made up of glycidoxypropyl-terminated dimethyl siloxane polymer, peg-13 diglycidyl ether, diethylaminopropylamine, and aminopropyltriisopropoxysilane.
Learn more about Polysilicone-29Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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