What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventTetrasodium EDTA
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Isododecane, Sodium PCA, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Isopropyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamal, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeParfum
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCaryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningEthyl Linoleate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthyl Oleate
EmollientPanthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-7
Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Dimethicone, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Ethyl Linoleate, Butylene Glycol, Ethyl Oleate, Panthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hedera Helix Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
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%.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein is protein extracted from rice. This ingredient is rich in antioxidants and peptides.
Studies show this ingredient may help with blocking the melanin creation process when skin is exposed to UV.
Panthenol 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water