What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Menthol
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChamaecyparis Obtusa Water
MaskingLinalool
Perfuming
Arginine
Masking
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Limonene
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Thuja Orientalis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Root Extract
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Menthol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Linalool, Arginine, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Citric Acid, Alcohol, Limonene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Thuja Orientalis Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Tocopherol, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Steartrimonium Bromide
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientAmodimethicone
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamide Mea
Emulsifying
C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Ethyl Ester Of Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Betaine
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
PEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Canola Oil
Emollient
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Leptospermum Petersonii Oil
Masking
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Saururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcorus Gramineus Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Thunbergii Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chitosan
Hydrolyzed Chitosan
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Steartrimonium Bromide, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Amodimethicone, Glycerin, Cocamide Mea, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethyl Ester Of Hydrolyzed Silk, Lactic Acid, Betaine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Silk, PEG-14m, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Canola Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Leptospermum Petersonii Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Acorus Gramineus Root/Stem Extract, Pinus Thunbergii Leaf Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Chitosan, Hydrolyzed Chitosan, Trehalose, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Coumarin, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol
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 also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
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.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTALimonene 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 ParfumWater. 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
