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. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinThis 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water