What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventIsopentyldiol
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSh-Oligopeptide-78
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientCalcium Gluconate
HumectantHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-16
Stearalkonium Chloride
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingWater, Isopropyl Palmitate, Stearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sh-Oligopeptide-78, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Jojoba Esters, Calcium Gluconate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Ceramide NP, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyquaternium-16, Stearalkonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Hydroxycitronellal
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCeteareth-20
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientPolyquaternium-7
Hydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Benzoate
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Isopropyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Propylene Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sorbitan Oleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Cetrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-12, Dimethiconol, Polyquaternium-7, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Benzoate, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol
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%.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene 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 AcidIsopropyl 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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.
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 BenzoateWater. 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