What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingAmodimethicone
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-4
Potato Starch Modified
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Linalool
Perfuming
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Citral
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Isopropyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Amodimethicone, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Polyquaternium-4, Potato Starch Modified, Limonene, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Behentrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Glycine, Trideceth-6, Isopropyl Alcohol, Linalool, Cetrimonium Chloride, Citral, Coumarin, Benzyl Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Potassium Sorbate, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Vp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Polyquaternium-37
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAmodimethicone
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Vinyl Caprolactam/Vp/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
PPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Limonene
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Water, Glycerin, Vp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Amodimethicone, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Vinyl Caprolactam/Vp/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Trideceth-12, Cetrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Linalool, Sorbitan Oleate, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Benzalkonium Chloride
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
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%.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl 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.
Limonene 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.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
