What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Amodimethicone
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Cholesteryl Lanolate
Skin ConditioningIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCarboxymethyl Alanyl Disulfide Keratin
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningIsostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingSteartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Dicocodimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingEtidronic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Amodimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cholesteryl Lanolate, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carboxymethyl Alanyl Disulfide Keratin, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Isostearic Acid, Lauryl Betaine, Steartrimonium Chloride, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Dicocodimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Etidronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Stearoxypropyltrimonium Chloride
CleansingDimethiconol
Emollient
Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide
Skin ConditioningPolianthes Tuberosa Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Squalane
Emollient
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-61
Skin ConditioningPCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate
Moisturising
Dicocodimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingDistearyldimonium Chloride
Steartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Laureth-5
EmulsifyingAmodimethicone
Citric Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Stearoxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Dimethiconol, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Silk, Cetyl-Pg Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Polianthes Tuberosa Polysaccharide, Arginine, Isostearic Acid, Squalane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyquaternium-61, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Dicocodimonium Chloride, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Steartrimonium Chloride, Laureth-5, Amodimethicone, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
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.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholThis water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholWe don't have a description for Dicocodimonium Chloride yet.
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 DimethiconeDistearyldimonium Chloride is an antistatic agent and a surfactant.
Hexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalHydroxyethylcellulose 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 AlcoholIsostearic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its structure makes it a great surfactant.
Surfactants help decrease the surface tension between two liquids. This property also makes it an effective emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent waters and oils from separating in a product.
Isostearic Acid is created from oleic acid.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Isostearic AcidWe don't have a description for Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Silk yet.
Linalool 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.
Steartrimonium Chloride is a preservative.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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
