What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingMenthol
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Reticulata Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingAngelica Archangelica Root Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBroussonetia Kazinoki Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAlcohol Denat., Water, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-14 Alketh-12, Menthol, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Angelica Archangelica Root Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cyclodextrin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Broussonetia Kazinoki Bark Extract, Squalane, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPvp
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingTrideceth-10
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingCorchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningPCA
HumectantWater, Alcohol, Pvp, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Butylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Trideceth-10, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Citronellol, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, PCA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCitronellol 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 CitronellolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinHydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Limonene 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 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