What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid
CleansingParfum
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Diaminopyrimidine Oxide
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Acetyl Cedrene
PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Polyquaternium-67
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Pinene
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCarvone
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Masking
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Niacinamide, Diaminopyrimidine Oxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Acetyl Cedrene, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-67, Limonene, Benzoic Acid, Linalyl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Linalool, Pinene, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Carvone, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Hexylene Glycol, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Distearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Amodimethicone
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Trideceth-10
CleansingLimonene
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Anise Alcohol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Distearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Isopropyl Myristate, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Caffeine, Lactic Acid, Parfum, Amodimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isopropyl Alcohol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Ceteareth-20, Trideceth-10, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Anise Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate
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 AlcoholHexyl 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 LimoneneParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
