What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Arginine
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Amodimethicone
Trideceth-10
CleansingTartaric Acid
Buffering
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Steareth-6
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Trideceth-3
EmulsifyingLimonene
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Acetic Acid
BufferingTrisodium Hedta
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Cetyl Esters, Sodium Benzoate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Arginine, Citric Acid, Amodimethicone, Trideceth-10, Tartaric Acid, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, PEG-100 Stearate, Steareth-6, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Trideceth-3, Limonene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lactic Acid, Acetic Acid, Trisodium Hedta, CI 17200, CI 19140, Parfum, Ceramide AP
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Maleic Acid
BufferingEthanolamine
BufferingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Surfactant
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingQuaternium-91
Polyquaternium-37
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Cetrimonium Methosulfate
AntimicrobialAmyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
PPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Acrylates Copolymer
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Creatine
Skin Conditioning2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Cinnamate
Perfuming
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Maleic Acid, Ethanolamine, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Quaternium-91, Polyquaternium-37, Benzoic Acid, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Amyl Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Acrylates Copolymer, Citronellol, Limonene, Creatine, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Benzyl Cinnamate, Sorbitan Oleate, CI 19140, CI 42090, Parfum
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 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 AlcoholThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Limonene 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 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.
Water. 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
