What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBis(C13-15 Alkoxy) Pg-Amodimethicone
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingBetaine
HumectantPCA
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientArginine
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingCreatine
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientWater, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bis(C13-15 Alkoxy) Pg-Amodimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Betaine, PCA, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Creatine, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantQuaternium-98
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningSilk Amino Acids
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate Dimethicone
Polyquaternium-37
PPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-80
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Disodium EDTA
Sodium PCA
HumectantParfum
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyacrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Acetate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Quaternium-98, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Silk Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Keratin Amino Acids, Cellulose, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate Dimethicone, Polyquaternium-37, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Quaternium-80, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium PCA, Parfum, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyacrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dehydroacetic Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Benzyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 17200, CI 19140, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilThis 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%.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractWater. 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