What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeBis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone
Parfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-37
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingCeteareth-25
CleansingCeteareth-7
EmulsifyingLimonene
PerfumingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantMaltitol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXylitol
HumectantHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAlanine
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentSodium Benzoate
MaskingPelvetia Canaliculata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Bis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-37, Isopropyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Ceteareth-25, Ceteareth-7, Limonene, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Maltitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xylitol, Hexamethylindanopyran, Glycolic Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Linalool, Alanine, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingC13-16 Isoalkane
SolventArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHoney
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Honey
Lactic Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingBehenic Acid
CleansingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingVanillin
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingSorbic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingRose Ketone-4
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingTerpineol
MaskingSaccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Triheptanoin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Parfum, C13-16 Isoalkane, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Honey, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Panthenol, Coumarin, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexamethylindanopyran, Behenic Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Vanillin, Citronellol, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Rose Ketone-4, Limonene, Terpineol, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. Argan Oil has antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing properties.
Studies have shown argan oil can help fight again radical damage from the sun. This makes it effective at preventing hyperpigmentation.
Large amounts of vitamin E found in argan oil helps the skin retain water. Argan oil also contains fatty acids such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. It is also a good source of lipids.
Another benefit of argan oil is skin-soothing. It can help reduce inflammation-related skin symptoms.
Argan Oil is effective at regulating sebum production in pores. This can make it effective at treating hormonal acne.
Traditionally, argan oil was used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, argan oil contains fatty acids that may make it not fungal-acne safe.
Argan Trees are native to Morocco.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
This ingredient is also known as Galaxolide. It is a synthetic fragrance used to add a "sweet musky floral" odor.
The EU Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety deems this ingredient to be an allergen and irritant.
Limonene 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 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 BenzoateThis ingredient is also known as ISO E Super. It is a synthetic perfuming and masking ingredient.
The manufacturer describes this scnet as amber and woody.
According to the EU, this ingredient is a known allergen and some people may develop skin sensitivity from repeated exposure.
Learn more about Tetramethyl AcetyloctahydronaphthalenesWater. 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