L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil Sublime Detangle Leave-in Spray Versus Aunt Jackie's Curls & Coils Knot On My Watch Instant Detangling Therapy
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-87
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningEugenol
PerfumingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePolyquaternium-37
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPolyquaternium-11
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCandelilla Cera
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCinnamal
PerfumingLinum Usitatissimum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGardenia Taitensis Flower
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Flower Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
BufferingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Quaternium-87, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Stearyl Alcohol, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Eugenol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37, Polysorbate 20, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyquaternium-11, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Limonene, Candelilla Cera, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Cinnamal, Linum Usitatissimum Flower Extract, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Sorbitan Oleate, Gardenia Taitensis Flower, Rosa Canina Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Glycine Soja Oil, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-37
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingC9-12 Alkane
SolventTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
EmollientLanolin Oil
EmollientStearalkonium Chloride
PreservativeAcrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylamide Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingTbhq
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-150 Distearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, C9-12 Alkane, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Lanolin Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylamide Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Tbhq, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Cinnamyl Alcohol, CI 19140, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGlycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene 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 ParfumWe don't have a description for Polyquaternium-37 yet.
We don't have a description for PPG-1 Trideceth-6 yet.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient designed to leave a non-greasy feel. It is also a skin conditioning agent and viscosity modifier.
Skin irritation studies for this ingredient (up to 80%) showed mimimal to no irritation.
One thing worth knowing: this ingredient may enhance the skin penetration of other ingredients.
Overall, this ingredient is a well-tolerated and lightweight emollient.
Learn more about Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/DicaprateTocopherol 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