What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCeteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHoney
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Ceteartrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Honey, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Royal Jelly Extract, Glucose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Caramel
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventParfum
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, CI 19140, CI 15985, Tocopherol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, CI 17200, CI 42090, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Glycolipids
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilThis 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%.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseIsopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholParfum 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