What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-8/3 Laurate
EmulsifyingDicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-37
Isopentyldiol
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingPropanediol
SolventGluconic Acid
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingAmyl Salicylate
PerfumingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingIonone
AstringentCyclamen Aldehyde
MaskingWater, PEG/PPG-8/3 Laurate, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37, Isopentyldiol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Propanediol, Gluconic Acid, Zea Mays Starch, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Dipropylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Amyl Salicylate, Ethylene Brassylate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Ionone, Cyclamen Aldehyde
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventPropanediol
SolventPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningBrassica Alcohol
EmollientBrassicyl Valinate Esylate
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialRicinoleamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Jojoba Esters
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningPCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate
MoisturisingBehenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingChitosan
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyamide-8
EmollientVp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Stearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantMethylthiopropylamido Acetyl Methionine
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingEthyl Linalool
MaskingPinene
MaskingAmyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCyclamen Aldehyde
MaskingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientIonone
AstringentWater, Myristyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, C13-15 Alkane, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Brassica Alcohol, Brassicyl Valinate Esylate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Ricinoleamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Jojoba Esters, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Behenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Chitosan, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyacrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyamide-8, Vp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Parfum, Glyceryl Behenate, Steareth-21, Polyglycerin-3, Methylthiopropylamido Acetyl Methionine, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Citric Acid, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Benzyl Salicylate, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Dipropylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Linalyl Acetate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Ethylene Brassylate, Ethyl Linalool, Pinene, Amyl Salicylate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Isopropyl Myristate, Ionone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Amyl Salicylate is a fragrance. It can cause irritation.
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 CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
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.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.
Limonene and linalool make up the majority of oils from citrus peels. Limonene has a "citrus" fragrance. Citrus peels also contain flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peel is also a rich source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants and help protect your skin against damage. Flavonoids are a group of compounds naturally found in vegetables and fruits.
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 Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel OilCitrus Limon Peel Oil is created from the peels of the lemon. It is used to add a lemon-scent to products. Lemon peel oil also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. However, it may also cause phototoxicity and sensitize skin.
Lemon peel oil contains limonene, a skin sensitizing ingredient. Another component is furanocoumarin, which induces phototoxicity in skin.
Furanocoumarins bind and destabilize your DNA to increase the rate of sunburn.
Most reputable companies will remove furanocoumarins from their formulations.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Peel OilCyclamen Aldehyde can cause irritation.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the âgoodâ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolWe don't have a description for Ethylene Brassylate yet.
Glycerin (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 CinnamalIonone is a fragrance.
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 LinaloolLinalyl Acetate is the acetate ester of linalool and can be naturally found in many flowers and spice plants.
This ingredient is often used to add a scent or mask an unpleasant one in products.
Linalyl acetate is mildly toxic to humans and toxic to fish.
Learn more about Linalyl AcetateWe don't have a description for Methyldihydrojasmonate yet.
Parfum 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumPinene is created by distilling the resin of Pinus trees.
It is a known EU allergen. Long term contact with this ingredient can cause dermatitis.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolThis ingredient is also known as ISO E Super. It is a synthetic perfuming and masking ingredient.
The manufacturer describes this scnet as amber and woody.
According to the EU, this ingredient is a known allergen and some people may develop skin sensitivity from repeated exposure.
Learn more about Tetramethyl AcetyloctahydronaphthalenesWater. 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