What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingLanolin
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSodium Bicarbonate
AbrasiveSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingIsoeugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Lanolin, Cera Alba, Dimethicone, Sodium Bicarbonate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Panthenol, BHT, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Eugenol, Hydroxycitronellal, Isoeugenol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientLanolin
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPetrolatum
EmollientSodium Borate
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Dimethyl Paba
UV AbsorberMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Paraffinum Liquidum, Lanolin, Beeswax, Petrolatum, Sodium Borate, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate, Ethylhexyl Dimethyl Paba, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance. It can be synthetically created or naturally occurring.
The scent of Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is described as "flowery" but can also be "woody".
Naturally occurring Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone may be found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the yeast used to make wine and bread.
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 Alpha-Isomethyl IononeBenzyl 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 SalicylateGeraniol 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 GeraniolLanolin is a wax secreted by animals with wool, such as sheep. It is a waterproof emollient.
Emollients help soften and moisturize the skin by creating a film. This film prevents moisture from escaping, helping the skin stay hydrated.
Unlike true fats, lanolin contains sterol esters instead of glycerides. It also contains fatty acids and alcohols.
Because lanolin comes from an animal, it is not considered vegan. Sheep secrete lanolin through sebaceous glands to help protect their skin from the environment.
The answer to this question depends on the brand itself. Being cruelty-free means a brand does not experiment or harm animals. We recommend looking into how brands source their lanolin. Lanolin is cruelty-free if it is gathered without harming the animal.
Learn more about LanolinLimonene 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 LinaloolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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