What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No 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 ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingTussilago Farfara Flower Extract
AstringentUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Parfum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Betula Alba Bud Extract, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Tussilago Farfara Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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.
Citric 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 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus 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 OilPanthenol 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractStearyl 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