What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPolysilicone-29
Vp/Methacrylamide/Vinyl Imidazole Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingSilicone Quaternium-18
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingDeceth-7
EmulsifyingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Algin
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingMaris Aqua
HumectantRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Limonene
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTrimethylbenzenepropanol
MaskingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingAnethole
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Polysilicone-29, Vp/Methacrylamide/Vinyl Imidazole Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Silicone Quaternium-18, Sodium Gluconate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Trideceth-6, Deceth-7, Phosphatidylcholine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Arginine Hcl, Hydrolyzed Algin, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Sodium Benzoate, Maris Aqua, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Trimethylbenzenepropanol, Geranyl Acetate, Anethole, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPolysilicone-29
Silicone Quaternium-18
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialIpomoea Batatas Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Hull Extract
MoisturisingLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-59
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingAlpha-Terpinene
PerfumingBenzaldehyde
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBeta-Caryophyllene
MaskingCamphor
MaskingCitral
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingTerpineol
MaskingTerpinolene
PerfumingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polysilicone-29, Silicone Quaternium-18, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Trideceth-12, Benzyl Alcohol, Trideceth-6, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Hydrolyzed Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Hull Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Lysate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Polyquaternium-59, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Alpha-Terpinene, Benzaldehyde, Benzyl Benzoate, Beta-Caryophyllene, Camphor, Citral, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Geraniol, Geranyl Acetate, Hexamethylindanopyran, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Terpineol, Terpinolene, 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.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholBenzyl Benzoate is usually created from the condensation of benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol. It is used as a preservative, solvent, and has a floral/balsamic scent in large amounts.
As a preservative, Benzyl Benzoate works against bacteria and fungus. It is often used to treat scabies and lice in medicine.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Due to its fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate can be sensitizing and may cause contact dermatitis. It is a known EU allergen. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Benzyl Benzoate can be naturally found in cranberries and peaches.
Learn more about Benzyl BenzoateCaprylyl 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGeranyl Acetate is a fragrance. It can cause irritation.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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.
Polysilicone-29 is a complex silicone polymer. It is also known as Silsoft™ CLX-E.
The manufacturer states this ingredient is a conditioning agent for hair care. The website states this ingredient can help hydrate and repair hair.
It is made up of glycidoxypropyl-terminated dimethyl siloxane polymer, peg-13 diglycidyl ether, diethylaminopropylamine, and aminopropyltriisopropoxysilane.
Learn more about Polysilicone-29Silicone Quaternium-18 is a type of silicone.
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 BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWe don't have a description for Trideceth-6 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