What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyalkylaminoester-1
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate-13
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningFructose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyporus Umbellatus Extract
Skin ProtectingAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
Emollient
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Polyalkylaminoester-1, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Pvp, Polyacrylate-13, Sodium Citrate, Phospholipids, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Fructose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Myristyl Alcohol, Polyporus Umbellatus Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Polyisobutene, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Oleth-10, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Vp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer
Acrylates Copolymer
Polyimide-1
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-70
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantStearalkonium Chloride
Preservative
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Vp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyimide-1, Polysorbate 20, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-70, Dipropylene Glycol, Stearalkonium Chloride, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, CI 17200, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral, Limonene, Coumarin, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPolysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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
