What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingPEG-6 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDisodium EDTA
Glycerin
HumectantAminopropyl Dimethicone
Silicone Quaternium-16
Skin ConditioningUndeceth-11
EmollientUndeceth-5
EmulsifyingButyloctanol
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Algae Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Glyceryl Oleate, Steartrimonium Chloride, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-4 Laurate, PEG-6 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, PEG-90m, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Silicone Quaternium-16, Undeceth-11, Undeceth-5, Butyloctanol, Sodium Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl Esters
EmollientHydroxyethyl Diethylenetriamine Dioleamide/Palmitamide
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Amodimethicone
Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeQuaternium-87
CleansingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialC18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate
EmollientShorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-113
Dimethiconol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Lactic Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingAcetic Acid
BufferingTin Oxide
AbrasiveHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPsidium Guajava Seed Oil
EmollientQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Ascorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Mica, Cetyl Esters, Hydroxyethyl Diethylenetriamine Dioleamide/Palmitamide, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Amodimethicone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Quaternium-87, Isopropyl Alcohol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Cetrimonium Chloride, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyquaternium-113, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, BHT, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-15, Trideceth-3, Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Acetic Acid, Tin Oxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Psidium Guajava Seed Oil, Quaternium-95, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Propanediol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Disiloxane, Sodium Metabisulfite, Trisiloxane, Sodium Phosphate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77891
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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinIsopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholLimonene 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 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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