What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Isododecane
EmollientTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventCI 26100
Cosmetic ColorantCI 47000
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingVanillin
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Oil
Lavandula Oil/Extract
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentIsoeugenyl Acetate
PerfumingCamphor
MaskingCarvone
MaskingIsododecane, Trisiloxane, Dimethicone, Parfum, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Heptyl Undecylenate, C13-15 Alkane, CI 26100, CI 47000, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexamethylindanopyran, Linalyl Acetate, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Vanillin, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil, Lavandula Oil/Extract, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Isoeugenyl Acetate, Camphor, Carvone
Butane
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPropane
Isobutane
Dimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingAcetyl Cedrene
Linalyl Acetate
MaskingCoumarin
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLecithin
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientButane, Alcohol Denat., Disiloxane, Propane, Isobutane, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Oleate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, Water, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hexamethylindanopyran, Acetyl Cedrene, Linalyl Acetate, Coumarin, Citronellol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Linalool, Limonene, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Alternatives
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 OilDimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is also known as Galaxolide. It is a synthetic fragrance used to add a "sweet musky floral" odor.
The EU Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety deems this ingredient to be an allergen and irritant.
Linalool 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 LinaloolLinalyl Acetate is the acetate ester of linalool and can be naturally found in many flowers and spice plants.
This ingredient is often used to add a scent or mask an unpleasant one in products.
Linalyl acetate is mildly toxic to humans and toxic to fish.
Learn more about Linalyl AcetateParfum 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 ParfumThis ingredient is also known as ISO E Super. It is a synthetic perfuming and masking ingredient.
The manufacturer describes this scnet as amber and woody.
According to the EU, this ingredient is a known allergen and some people may develop skin sensitivity from repeated exposure.
Learn more about Tetramethyl AcetyloctahydronaphthalenesTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol