What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningBrassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Skin ConditioningC13-16 Isoparaffin
SolventCetyl Esters
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientParfum
MaskingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeBis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone
Jojoba Esters
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningArtocarpus Heterophyllus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyra Umbilicalis Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-37
Heptyl Undecylenate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPolyurethane-100
Propanediol
SolventGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-25
CleansingCeteareth-7
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningFumaric Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Triheptanoin, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Cetyl Esters, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Parfum, Behentrimonium Chloride, Bis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone, Jojoba Esters, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Artocarpus Heterophyllus Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-37, Heptyl Undecylenate, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyurethane-100, Propanediol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Ceteareth-25, Ceteareth-7, Tocopherol, Polyglycerin-3, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Fumaric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Diisostearyl Malate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePropanediol
SolventDioctyldodecyl Dodecanedioate
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Propanediol, Dioctyldodecyl Dodecanedioate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Sodium Gluconate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Parfum, Geraniol, Citronellol, Citral, Farnesol, Linalool, Limonene, Potassium Sorbate
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 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 AlcoholHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilWe don't have a description for Heptyl Undecylenate 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 ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol (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