What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingQuaternium-87
CleansingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCoptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAminopropyl Dimethicone
Parfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingSqualane
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Beeswax, Behenyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Quaternium-87, Behentrimonium Chloride, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Glyceryl Caprylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Malt Extract, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Amyl Cinnamal, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSteartrimonium Bromide
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientAminopropyl Dimethicone
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientAmodimethicone
Glycerin
HumectantCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingC12-14 Sec-Pareth-7
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientEthyl Ester Of Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingBetaine
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCanola Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningLeptospermum Petersonii Oil
MaskingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientSaururus Chinensis Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcorus Gramineus Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Thunbergii Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningChitosan
Hydrolyzed Chitosan
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Steartrimonium Bromide, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Amodimethicone, Glycerin, Cocamide Mea, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethyl Ester Of Hydrolyzed Silk, Lactic Acid, Betaine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Silk, PEG-14m, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Canola Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Leptospermum Petersonii Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Acorus Gramineus Root/Stem Extract, Pinus Thunbergii Leaf Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Chitosan, Hydrolyzed Chitosan, Trehalose, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Coumarin, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aminopropyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholBenzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneParfum 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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolThis oil comes from the seeds of the desert shrub called Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic oil.
Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient.
It also contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and protects your skin against oxidative damage.
This ingredient humectant properties, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some strains of bacteria.
Studies also show it helps in wound healing. In fact, Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fun fact: Jojoba oil similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. It is also promising with helping to regulate sebum production.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water