What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingMelatonin
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingValeriana Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSarcothalia Crispata
CleansingPropanediol
SolventCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Phytate
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningCyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCalcium Gluconate
HumectantParfum
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Melatonin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Valeriana Officinalis Root Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sarcothalia Crispata, Propanediol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Gluconolactone, Cyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Myristic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylamide, Phospholipids, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Calcium Gluconate, Parfum, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, CI 42090, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientXylitol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlucose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Cydonia Seed Extract
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeMaltodextrin
AbsorbentLinalool
PerfumingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Synthetic Beeswax, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Xylitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Parfum, Alcohol Denat., Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Limonene, Sodium Benzoate, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Maltodextrin, Linalool, CI 42090
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholCi 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
In cosmetics, it plays many roles:
One thing worth noting: a controlled study found this ingredient applied under occlusion to acne-prone subjects increased microcomedones. Just keep in mind this was under occlusive conditions and don't reflect how most products are used day-to-day.
For most people, this is a well-tolerated and lightweight ingredient.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because it is a fatty acid ester.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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