What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Parfum
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingArginine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantSerine
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Benzoic Acid, Trideceth-6, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Hydroxide, Arginine, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydroxycitronellal, CI 19140, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, CI 15985, CI 14700, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientAvena Sativa Bran Extract
AbrasivePanthenol
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-68
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTriethyl Citrate
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Panthenol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-68, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Triethyl Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide
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%.
This 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.
This ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilPhenoxyethanol 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