What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantAminopropyl Dimethicone
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventStearyl Dihydroxypropyldimonium Oligosaccharides
Steartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeOctyldodecanol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantArginine
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-6 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
EmulsifyingC10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate
PEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Oleate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Peptide, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Arginine Hcl, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Phosphatidylcholine, Tocopherol, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearyl Dihydroxypropyldimonium Oligosaccharides, Steartrimonium Chloride, Octyldodecanol, Propylene Glycol, Arginine, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-6 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, PEG-90m, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
AntimicrobialCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Behentrimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene
Reviews
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%.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeIsopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
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.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholParfum 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 an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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