What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningTamarindus Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Concinna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingDimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Tamarindus Indica Fruit Extract, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Water, Parfum, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Amyl Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Geraniol
Isododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientC11-13 Isoparaffin
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethiconol
EmollientAmodimethicone
Parfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningIsododecane, Dimethicone, C11-13 Isoparaffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethiconol, Amodimethicone, Parfum, Tocopherol, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Linalool, Panthenol, Limonene, Geraniol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Water, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Eugenol, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Geraniol 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 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumTocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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