What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Carbomer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Limonene, Benzophenone-4, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, Citronellol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-10
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-11
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-7
Limonene
Perfuming
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Geraniol
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Isoeugenol
Perfuming
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Water, Vp/Va Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyquaternium-11, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-7, Limonene, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxycitronellal, Amyl Cinnamal, Isopropyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Isoeugenol, Lactic Acid
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 an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
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 CinnamalHydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Limonene 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 ParfumPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor 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
