What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPhytantriol
HumectantButeth-3
SolventSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingTributyl Citrate
SolventCymbopogon Nardus Oil
MaskingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAcid Yellow 1
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzophenone-4, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Phytantriol, Buteth-3, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Pisum Sativum Extract, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Tributyl Citrate, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, CI 19140, Acid Yellow 1, CI 17200
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBetaine
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialDipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-37
Propylene Glycol
HumectantQuaternium-87
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSqualene
EmollientTartaric Acid
BufferingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Benzophenone-4, Benzyl Alcohol, Betaine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Panthenol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol, Quaternium-87, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Squalene, Tartaric Acid, Trideceth-6
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance. It can be synthetically created or naturally occurring.
The scent of Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is described as "flowery" but can also be "woody".
Naturally occurring Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone may be found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the yeast used to make wine and bread.
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 Alpha-Isomethyl IononeBenzophenone-4 is a water-soluble chemical sunscreen.
It protects in the UV-B range, but is considered a secondary UV absorber. This means that it needs to be paired with other sunscreen ingredients to provide effective protection.
Typically, it's used in cosmetic products to protect them from deterioration caused by UV rays. This is why you'll find it in a lot of products that aren't sunscreens.
Learn more about Benzophenone-4Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCetearyl 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.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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.
Sodium 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 Benzoate