What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrofluorocarbon 152a
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButane
Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
EmollientOctylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Undecane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningTridecane
PerfumingWater
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzoic Acid
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingTrimethylbenzenepropanol
Masking3-Methyl-5-(2,2,3-Trimethyl-3-Cyclopentenyl)Pent-4-En-2-Ol
PerfumingVanillin
MaskingHydrofluorocarbon 152a, Alcohol Denat., Butane, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Undecane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Disiloxane, Tridecane, Water, Panthenol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Parfum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Avena Sativa Peptide, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Citronellol, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Geraniol, Geranyl Acetate, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Trimethylbenzenepropanol, 3-Methyl-5-(2,2,3-Trimethyl-3-Cyclopentenyl)Pent-4-En-2-Ol, Vanillin
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialHydrofluorocarbon 152a
Water
Skin ConditioningOctylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Va/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingParfum
MaskingNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhytantriol
HumectantCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAmp-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingPPG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientDimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat., Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Water, Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Va/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Parfum, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Triethyl Citrate, Isododecane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Panthenol, Phytantriol, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Linalool, Limonene, Amp-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, PPG-12 Dimethicone, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Geranyl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Aminomethyl Propanol is used to adjust the pH of products. It is also used as a base to create other organic compounds. Having a balanced pH is important for protecting your skin.
Aminomethyl propanol is safe to use in cosmetics up to 1%. It is soluble in water.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitrus 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 OilGeranyl Acetate is a fragrance. It can cause irritation.
We don't have a description for Hydrofluorocarbon 152a yet.
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 Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer yet.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPhenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconePinene is created by distilling the resin of Pinus trees.
It is a known EU allergen. Long term contact with this ingredient can cause dermatitis.
This 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