What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Amodimethicone
Polyquaternium-37
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Acetamide Mea
HumectantLactamide Mea
HumectantDimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate
Cleansing
PPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Xylose
HumectantLactic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-37, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Parfum, Acetamide Mea, Lactamide Mea, Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Trideceth-6, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycine Soja Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Xylose, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Linalool, Coumarin, Sodium Hydroxide
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
Astringent
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Polyester-11
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Glycerin, Squalane, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Polysorbate 60, Polyester-11, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLinalool 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
