What's inside
What's inside
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
Sea Water
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
Isostearyl Ethylimidazolinium Ethosulfate
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 ColorantCI 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, Sea Water, 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, Isostearyl Ethylimidazolinium Ethosulfate, 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, CI 60730, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Stearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearalkonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialMagnesium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Glycerin, Panthenol, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Alcohol, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Parfum, Linalool, Hexamethylindanopyran
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl 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 AcidThis ingredient is derived from guar gum.
It is a conditioning ingredient, meaning it helps soften skin and hair.
Linalool 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 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 GlycolStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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