What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCanola Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCaryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Almond Glycerides
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
CleansingPolyquaternium-37
PPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-98
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingDimethiconol
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventAcetamide Mea
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Dihydrogenated Tallow Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Canola Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Dimethicone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Oleate, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Ceteareth-20, Polyquaternium-37, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Quaternium-98, Steareth-2, Citric Acid, Dimethiconol, Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Acetamide Mea, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Polyacrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Dihydrogenated Tallow Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Potassium Sorbate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBrassica Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingLaurus Nobilis Leaf Extract
MaskingPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingSantalum Album Oil
MaskingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingElettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
MaskingFerula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
AntimicrobialGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCetyl Esters
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Brassica Alcohol, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Biotin, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Laurus Nobilis Leaf Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Santalum Album Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Esters, Isododecane, Cetrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCetearyl 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 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 AcidThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideParfum 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 ParfumWater. 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