What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPropanediol
SolventQuaternium-33
Steardimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAlanine
MaskingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Honey Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantKeratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningPrunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Rhododendron Ferrugineum Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningIsomalt
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantCetearamidoethyl Diethonium Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPouteria Sapota Seed Oil
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsostearoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
CleansingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCeramide Ag
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningBis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientBis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate
EmollientCarapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Lactate
BufferingCholesterol
EmollientArgania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Glyceryl Dehydroabietate/Tetrahydroabietate
Skin ProtectingLecithin
EmollientSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialDicocodimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingQuaternium-18
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Propanediol, Quaternium-33, Steardimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Gamma-Docosalactone, Glucose, Butylene Glycol, Alanine, Hydroxyproline, Hydrolyzed Honey Protein, Sodium PCA, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Rhododendron Ferrugineum Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Ceramide AP, Isomalt, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Cetearamidoethyl Diethonium Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Ceramide Ng, Glycine Soja Sterols, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Isostearate, Dimethiconol, Sodium Lactate, Cholesterol, Argania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Glyceryl Dehydroabietate/Tetrahydroabietate, Lecithin, Steartrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dicocodimonium Chloride, Quaternium-18, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Caramel
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeBisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
Amodimethicone
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDimethicone
EmollientGlycolic Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-10
CleansingPolyquaternium-37
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPCA Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Chloride, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, Amodimethicone, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Silk, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Dimethicone, Glycolic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-10, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PCA Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, Decyl Glucoside, 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 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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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