What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Acetamide Mea
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Methyl Nicotinate
SoothingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
PEG-23m
Emulsion StabilisingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
Emollient
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCitrus Paradisi Peel Extract
Perfuming
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract
AstringentAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylparaben
Preservative
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Methylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Butylparaben
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Niacinamide, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Caffeine, Polysorbate 20, Benzophenone-4, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acetamide Mea, Propylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methyl Nicotinate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 60, PEG-23m, Mentha Piperita Oil, Limonene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Biotin, Citrus Paradisi Peel Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Silica, Citric Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Faex Extract, Propylparaben, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Maltodextrin, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, BHT
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Parfum 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 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 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Potassium 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 SorbatePropylene 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 GlycolWater. 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
