What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyquaternium-11
Parfum
MaskingCeteareth-20
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningCopaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHoney
HumectantPropanediol
SolventC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCarbon
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyacrylamide
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingOleth-10
EmulsifyingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeLaureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Limonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-11, Parfum, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Glycine Soja Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Panthenol, Punica Granatum Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Honey, Propanediol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Carbon, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Steareth-2, Oleth-10, Aminomethyl Propanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMel
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyquaternium-37
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialAmodimethicone
Parfum
MaskingPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialAcetic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Linalool
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Biotin, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Mel, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trideceth-3, Trideceth-15, Cetrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Parfum, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Glycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Alcohol, Acetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Coumarin, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideThis ingredient is also known as coconut oil. It is a plant-derived ingredient with skin conditioning properties.
The fatty acid profile of coconut oil is mostly lauric acid (~54%), followed by capric, caprylic, palmitic, and myristic acids. This profile allows it to penetrate easily into skin, moisturize, and improve dry skin.
A double-blind study confirmed that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective as mineral oil for treating very dry skin. Another study found it outperformed mineral oil for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children.
Another study from 2018 found that virgin coconut oil can soothe inflammation and boost key skin barrier proteins. Just know this evidence is still only from lab settings and not human trials.
It has also been shown to reduce Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that commonly overgrows in people with eczema.
Clinical testing shows very minimal skin irritation and no evidence of sensitization or phototoxicity.
Coconut oil gets flagged as a "fragrance" because it has a natural mild scent (not because it's a synthetic perfume). The European Cosmetic ingredient database also lists "perfuming" as a function of this ingredient.
Just so you know, the term "fragrance" is completely unregulated. Some brands still use botanical extracts or essential oils in their "fragrance-free" formulas, but regulatory databases technically classify these under "fragrance".
Coconut oil has a tiny and useless bit of natural SPF. Early lab studies clocked it around SPF 7-8 but a more recent study found the real number closer to SPF 1.2. It also offers no meaningful UVA protection (SPF only overs UVB rays).
The comedogenic rating of 4/5 means it has a high potential to clog pores; but it's worth noting that comedogenicity is highly individual and ratings cannot predict how an overall formula will behave on skin.
Since lauric acid is the dominant fatty acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast feeds on fatty acids with carbon chain lengths between 11-24, and lauric acid falls within these lengths (C12).
Learn more about Cocos Nucifera OilDisodium 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 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 LinaloolPanthenol 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 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.
Water. 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