What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventAmodimethicone
Linalool
PerfumingTrideceth-10
CleansingTartaric Acid
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingPEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSteareth-6
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAcetic Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Hedta
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Cetyl Esters, Sodium Benzoate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Amodimethicone, Linalool, Trideceth-10, Tartaric Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Limonene, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-6, Trideceth-3, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, CI 19140, Acetic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Trisodium Hedta, CI 17200, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantHydrolyzed Algin
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-37
Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPEG-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingExtracts
CI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Sea Water, Hydrolyzed Algin, Arginine Hcl, Phosphatidylcholine, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Esters, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cetrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PEG-4 Laurate, Citric Acid, PEG-90m, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Isopropyl Alcohol, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Parfum, Extracts, CI 60730, CI 42090, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThis 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.
Cetyl Esters is a synthetic wax made up of mostly fatty acids and fatty alcohols. It is strcturally similar to wax taken from whales.
As an emollient, it creates a thin barrier on the skin. This barrier prevents moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Cetyl EstersCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeIsopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
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 Isopropyl AlcoholLimonene 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 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.
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