What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isodecyl Oleate
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Dioctyldodecyl Dodecanedioate
EmollientSodium Phytate
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Linoleamidopropyl Dimethylamine Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningC10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ceteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingPEG-75 Stearate
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGluconic Acid
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Isodecyl Oleate, Isopentyldiol, Dioctyldodecyl Dodecanedioate, Sodium Phytate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Jojoba Esters, Linoleamidopropyl Dimethylamine Dimer Dilinoleate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Cyclodextrin, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, PEG-75 Stearate, Polyglycerin-3, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Gluconic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Citral, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
C13-15 Alkane
SolventQuaternium-98
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Bis-PCA Dimethicone
Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
Cleansing
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Parfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopentyldiol, Behentrimonium Chloride, C13-15 Alkane, Quaternium-98, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PCA Dimethicone, Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Citronellol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCitronellol 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 CitronellolHexyl 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 CinnamalIsopentyldiol is a synthetic solvent, humectant, and emollient.
Humectants have the ability to attract and hold water while emollients create a thin film to prevent water from evaporating. This combination keeps your skin and hair soft and hydrated. Plus, isopentyldiol does not leave a sticky feeling behind.
As a surfactant, isopentyldiol is a hydrotrope. Hydrotropes help surfactants (cleansing agents) dissolve into water.
According to the manufacturer, using this ingredient with sorbitol boosts skin hydration and helps close cuticles of damaged hair.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about IsopentyldiolLimonene 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 ParfumWater. 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
