What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientHistidine
HumectantParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientQuaternium-87
CleansingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePanthenyl Ethyl Ether
Citric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberParfum
MaskingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Quaternium-87, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Ceteareth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Propylene Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Parfum, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool, Isopropyl Alcohol, CI 17200, CI 16035
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAParfum 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water