What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialQuaternium-18
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingMenthol
MaskingSilk Amino Acids
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPanthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride
Tetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium PCA
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-18, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Menthol, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Panthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium PCA, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
Sucrose
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCoconut Acid
CleansingMenthol
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Methyltaurate
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Isopropanolamine
BufferingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSucrose, Water, Glycerin, Cocamide Mipa, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Coconut Acid, Menthol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Methyltaurate, PEG-100 Stearate, Isopropanolamine, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LinaloolThis ingredient is also known as tea tree oil. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Tea tree oil is a complex lipophilic (fat-loving) oil that contains around 100 compounds with terpinen-4-ol being the most abundant (~40%).
Terpinen-4-ol is responsible for tea tree oil's broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and makes it a well-researched option for acne.
Clinical studies support 5% tea tree oil as an effective topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. A study with 124 patients compared 5% tea tree oil gel to 5% benzoyl peroxide and both reduced acne (though tea tree oil worked more slowly).
Besides acne, it is also seen in anti-dandruff shampoos and scalp treatments for it's antimicrobial and anti-seborrheic properties.
Safety-wise, the allergic potential of low concentrations on healthy skin is considered low. However, oxidized (old or improperly stored) tea tree oil is a stronger sensitizer.
Irritation can also occur if using the undiluted oil on skin; it's best to use this ingredient as part of a carefully crafted cosmetic formula. This is because regulations require tea tree oil in cosmetics to be stabilized to prevent degradation.
This ingredient has been deemed safe up to 2% in shampoo, 1% in cleansers, and 0.1% in face cream by the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).
There is some lab evidence that tea tree oil is antifungal against Malassezia, but it is a supportive option at best and not a replacement for proven antifungal treatments.
Learn more about Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf OilMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholParfum 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water