What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Algin
Cocos Nucifera Liquid Endosperm
Maris Aqua
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Esters
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingBisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-37
Bis-Ethyl(Isostearylimidazoline) Isostearamide
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPEG-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingPEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingStyrene/Butadiene Copolymer
Squalane
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingParfum
MaskingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantExtracts
CI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Stearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Phosphatidylcholine, Arginine Hcl, Hydrolyzed Algin, Cocos Nucifera Liquid Endosperm, Maris Aqua, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Esters, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37, Bis-Ethyl(Isostearylimidazoline) Isostearamide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PEG-4 Laurate, PEG-14m, Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer, Squalane, Citric Acid, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool, Limonene, Parfum, CI 42090, Extracts, CI 60730, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCalcium Benzoate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventParfum
MaskingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
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%.
Cetearyl 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholIsopropyl 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 AlcoholLimonene 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 ParfumSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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