What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantParfum
MaskingAmodimethicone
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialSilicone Quaternium-25
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDistearyldimonium Chloride
Citrus Junos Fruit Oil
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentChlorella Ferment
Skin ConditioningCandida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCaulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningAbelmoschus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCarum Petroselinum Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein
Skin ConditioningZein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantSecale Cereale Seed Extract
AbrasiveHydrolyzed Barley Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Jojoba Protein
Skin ConditioningOat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningRice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningAlanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-75
Skin ConditioningMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingTrideceth-10
CleansingPolyquaternium-73
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcetic Acid
Buffering2,3-Butanediol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Myristyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Parfum, Amodimethicone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Propylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Steartrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Silicone Quaternium-25, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Citrus Junos Fruit Oil, Maltodextrin, Chlorella Ferment, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Abelmoschus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Carum Petroselinum Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Panthenol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein, Zein, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Hazelnut Protein, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Oat Amino Acids, Wheat Amino Acids, Soy Amino Acids, Rice Amino Acids, Alanine/Histidine/Lysine Polypeptide Copper Hcl, Hexapeptide-75, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Trideceth-15, Trideceth-3, Trideceth-10, Polyquaternium-73, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trideceth-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acetic Acid, 2,3-Butanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Ascorbic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSteartrimonium Bromide
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientAminopropyl Dimethicone
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientAmodimethicone
Glycerin
HumectantCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingC12-14 Sec-Pareth-7
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientEthyl Ester Of Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingBetaine
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCanola Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningLeptospermum Petersonii Oil
MaskingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSaururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcorus Gramineus Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Thunbergii Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningChitosan
Hydrolyzed Chitosan
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
ChelatingParfum
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Steartrimonium Bromide, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Amodimethicone, Glycerin, Cocamide Mea, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethyl Ester Of Hydrolyzed Silk, Lactic Acid, Betaine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Silk, PEG-14m, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Canola Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Leptospermum Petersonii Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Acorus Gramineus Root/Stem Extract, Pinus Thunbergii Leaf Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Chitosan, Hydrolyzed Chitosan, Trehalose, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Coumarin, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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%.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholButylene 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl 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 DimethiconeDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Corn Protein yet.
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein is a water-soluble blend of peptides and amino acids made by breaking down the protein from soybeans into smaller proteins.
It's the most widely used hydrolyzed vegetable protein in cosmetics and it acts mainly as a skin and hair conditioning agent.
The smaller fragments are water-loving so it forms a thin, moisture-retentive film on skin that helps reduce water loss and leaves things feeling softer and smoother.
You'll often see it credited with "firming" or "anti-aging" benefits as well; this claim traces back to lab research like Tokudome et al. (2012). This study added low-molecular-weight soybean peptides to cultured human skin fibroblasts and saw increased type I collagen gene expression + collagen content.
The caveat is that this is in-vitro and oral-peptide research so the only solid, well-established role for the topical ingredient is skin conditioning.
Typical use concentrations go up to 3.5% in mascara but this ingredient is typically used at low levels well under 1%.
It has a reassuring safety profile as well; it's not a skin irritant in testing up to 20% and has limited skin penetration due to its large size and water-loving nature.
Anyone with a known soy allergy should definitely patch test or skip this ingredient. There's also a single case of a soy-containing product aggravating rosacea via protein contact dermatitis, but this is very rare.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Soy ProteinThis ingredient is a plant-derived protein made by breaking down wheat proteins into smaller amino acids and peptides. It has skin and hair conditioning properties.
People with known wheat allergy or a history of immediate reactions should be cautious with leave-on products containing hydrolyzed wheat proteins.
Isopropyl Alcohol is a small, fast-evaporating alcohol.
Formulators use it as a solvent, a way to think out thick liquids, an antifoaming agent, and occasionally a fragrance ingredient.
Reported use concentrations run from 0.002%-100% and any number over 50% usually comes from a nail product.
Actual skincare numbers run much lower: cleansers (0.3-26%), toners (0.07-7%), face moisturizers (0.04-0.2%).
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed it and concluded it is safe in the present practices of use and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as a non-carcinogenic to humans.
True allergy to this ingredient is uncommon but real: 44 out of 1,450 patients patch tested between 1992-2011 reacted with most cases clustering in people with leg ulcers, occupational hand eczema, or repeated use of Isopropyl Alcohol on already-broken skin.
Irritation and dryness are far more likely than allergy; before you throw away your skincare, just know this is dose-dependent and the risk is modest.
The irritant potential of the alcohols used in hand antiseptics is very low and skin irritation is significantly lower after alcohol application than after detergents (though isopropanol is somewhat more irritating than ethanol).
A 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests so the industry keeps this ingredient at low percentages in eye-area products.
One genuine caution: a 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests, so it belongs at low percentages in eye-area products, which is where the industry already keeps it.
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.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as 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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilWater. 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