What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientArginine
MaskingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeMaleic Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientParfum
MaskingAmodimethicone
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrideceth-10
CleansingLimonene
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetic Acid
BufferingMannitol
HumectantSerine
MaskingSucrose
HumectantPCA
HumectantOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientCitrulline
Skin ConditioningGlycogen
HumectantHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAlanine
MaskingThreonine
Glutamic Acid
HumectantLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Arginine, Behentrimonium Chloride, Maleic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Parfum, Amodimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Trideceth-10, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Phenoxyethanol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Acetic Acid, Mannitol, Serine, Sucrose, PCA, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Citrulline, Glycogen, Histidine Hcl, Butylene Glycol, Alanine, Threonine, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Propylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Barley Protein
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSh-Oligopeptide-78
Limonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialWater, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Alcohol Denat., Steartrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glutamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Myristyl Alcohol, Beta-Carotene, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Sh-Oligopeptide-78, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate
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
This 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
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
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 GlycolThis 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 TriglycerideCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlutamic Acid is an amino acid that is found in all living organisms. Our bodies use this to help nerve cells in the brain communicate with other cells.
In cosmetics, glutamic acid is a famous humectant. It draws water from the air to your skin, keeping your skin hydrated (like hyaluronic acid).
An in-vitro study from 2024 found glutamic acid to play a role in inhibiting inflammation and thus a potential skin-soothing ingredient.
Other studies show it to be have potential wound healing, skin barrier repair, and hair growth properties.
Glutamic acid has poor solubility in water and other solvents.
Learn more about Glutamic AcidLimonene 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 ParfumStearyl 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