What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCandelilla Cera
EmollientAmodimethicone
Cetyl Esters
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium PCA
HumectantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Candelilla Cera, Amodimethicone, Cetyl Esters, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium PCA, Trideceth-6, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Limonene, Amyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventBrassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientCoconut Alkanes
EmollientQuaternium-91
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
EmollientSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientParfum
MaskingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Myristate
EmollientGlyceryl Ricinoleate
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientAspartic Acid
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientBenzoic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-113
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Quaternium-95
UV AbsorberRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientPolymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantLactobacillus/Arundinaria Gigantea Leaf Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTrehalose
HumectantXylitol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLitchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, C13-15 Alkane, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Esters, Coconut Alkanes, Quaternium-91, Pentylene Glycol, Jojoba Esters, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Parfum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Myristyl Myristate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Decyl Glucoside, Dicaprylyl Ether, Aspartic Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Chlorphenesin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glyceryl Oleate, Benzoic Acid, Panthenol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Polyquaternium-113, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Quaternium-95, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Lactobacillus/Arundinaria Gigantea Leaf Ferment Filtrate, Galactoarabinan, Tocopherol, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Trehalose, Xylitol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral, Linalool
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%.
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 EstersGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHexyl 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 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