What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil
Emollient
Melia Azadirachta Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol Cysteine
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dimethiconol Meadowfoamate
EmollientSodium PCA
Humectant
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Manganese PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
Humectant
Hordeum Distichon Extract
Skin ProtectingPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSantalum Album Extract
CleansingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Fumaric Acid
BufferingTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellol
Perfuming
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Extract, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Dimethiconol Cysteine, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethiconol Meadowfoamate, Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, Manganese PCA, Zinc PCA, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Santalum Album Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Squalane, Fumaric Acid, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Water, Quaternium-95, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Isopentyldiol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Pvp, Benzoic Acid, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Limonene, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Surfactant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
C13-15 Alkane
SolventHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Spirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingCocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningRhodiola Rosea Extract
EmollientEleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract
AstringentRhaponticum Carthamoides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycereth-2 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, C13-15 Alkane, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Cocos Nucifera Water, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Extract, Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract, Rhaponticum Carthamoides Root Extract, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Phytate, Propanediol, Glycereth-2 Cocoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Butylene Glycol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is an organic acid that shows up in cosmetics as a preservative. It helps keep a product from spoiling by holding back the growth of yeast, mold, and some bacteria.
This ingredient also functions as a fragrance ingredient that helps mask the unpleasant scent of other ingredients.
The way it works is worth understanding; benzoic acid works when the formula is acidic. It is able to sneak into a microbe's cell and mess up how it functions to stop it from growing in an acidic product.
However, the acid switches to an inactive form and stops working if a product isn't acidic enough (above ~5 pH). This is why you'll often see it in low pH products or teamed up with other preservatives to cover the gap.
Safety wise, it's one of the better studied preservatives out there.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
A large international review found this ingredient had no effects on the human body and had low irritation potential.
Just so you know, real world use is usually much lower than the 5% ceiling (usually 1% of less).
The EU caps it at 2.5% in rinse-off products, 1.7% in oral care, and 0.5% in leave-on products.
One thing worth mentioning (it's nothing to worry about): some people get a little stinging or flushing where they apply it. This isn't a true allergy; it's a temporary and harmless reaction. This is the same kind of mild tingle you might notice from sorbic acid.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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
