What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsobutane
Vp/Methacrylamide/Vinyl Imidazole Copolymer
Polyquaternium-46
Propane
Laureth-3
EmulsifyingCeteareth-25
CleansingCocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropanol
MaskingPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingVanillin
MaskingWater, Isobutane, Vp/Methacrylamide/Vinyl Imidazole Copolymer, Polyquaternium-46, Propane, Laureth-3, Ceteareth-25, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenylpropanol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Vanillin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAmodimethicone
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingVp/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer
Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
EmollientTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Vp/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Trideceth-12, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Bicarbonate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylic Acid, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHexyl 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 CinnamalParfum 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolThis 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