What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingAmodimethicone
Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate
EmollientPolyquaternium-37
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Sericin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Trideceth-12, Amodimethicone, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Panthenol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Collagen, Parfum, DMDM Hydantoin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Polyquaternium-10, Sericin, Disodium EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeParfum
MaskingOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientAmodimethicone
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingChlorhexidine Dihydrochloride
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXylose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingIsoeugenol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Cetyl Esters, Amodimethicone, Sodium Benzoate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Limonene, Tocopherol, Trideceth-6, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylose, Panthenol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Benzyl Alcohol, 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 water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
Hexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolPanthenol 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 “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