What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Lanolin
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin Pg-Propylmethylsilanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Panthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride
Ceteareth-20
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Skin ConditioningThioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Esters, Lanolin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin Pg-Propylmethylsilanediol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Arginine Hcl, Phosphatidylcholine, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycolipids, Amodimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Panthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride, Ceteareth-20, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trideceth-12, Cetrimonium Chloride, Benzophenone-4, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Thioctic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Allantoin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingParfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingPPG-9
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-45m
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Silk Amino Acids
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Dimethiconol, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Carbomer, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, PPG-9, Disodium EDTA, PEG-45m, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silk Amino Acids, Niacinamide, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Silk, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Mica, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexyl 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 CinnamalLimonene 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 ParfumTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
