What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAmodimethicone
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSteareth-2
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
EmollientQuaternium-26
Disodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantSorbic Acid
PreservativeHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Cetrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Steareth-2, Ceteareth-20, Glycerin, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Quaternium-26, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Trideceth-12, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientC13-14 Alkane
SolventC15-23 Alkane
SolventC13-15 Alkane
SolventTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolyacrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-7
Sericin
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingC12-16 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-37
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCinnamal
PerfumingGlycolic Acid
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHexyl Salicylate
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, C13-14 Alkane, C15-23 Alkane, C13-15 Alkane, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Panthenol, Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate, Creatine, Algae Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyacrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Sericin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-16 Pareth-9, Behentrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Lactic Acid, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Trideceth-6, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cinnamal, Glycolic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Amyl Cinnamal, Hexyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Coumarin, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, CI 15985
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%.
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Disodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLinalool 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 LinaloolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWe don't have a description for Trideceth-12 yet.
Water. 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