What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Polyquaternium-16
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
Humectant
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
CI 16185
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethiconol, Polyquaternium-16, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Silk, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Lactic Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Benzophenone-4, CI 16185, Benzyl Salicylate, Amyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingIsobutylene/Ethylmaleimide/Hydroxyethylmaleimide Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Nasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Cystoseira Compressa Extract
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Seed Protein
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingCystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingBHT
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Gluconolactone
Chelating
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantPhytic Acid
Chelating
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingLinalool
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Isobutylene/Ethylmaleimide/Hydroxyethylmaleimide Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Cocos Nucifera Water, Glycerin, Panthenol, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Cystoseira Compressa Extract, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Zea Mays Starch, Tocopherol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Polysilicone-15, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Pentylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Aminomethyl Propanol, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Phytic Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, CI 42090, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 15985
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolLimonene 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
