What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride
Antimicrobial
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingCoumarin
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Esters, Isopropyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Myristyl Alcohol, Parfum, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Wheat Amino Acids, Sodium Chloride, Coumarin, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Propanediol Citrate Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantIsostearyl Ethylimidazolinium Ethosulfate
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Propanediol Citrate Crosspolymer, Behentrimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Heptyl Undecylenate, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Isostearyl Ethylimidazolinium Ethosulfate, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
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%.
Parfum 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateTocopherol 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
