What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingQuaternium-18
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Citric Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientMentha Arvensis Extract
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Root Extract
PerfumingBiota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantChrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientXanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Quaternium-18, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Amodimethicone, Citric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Mentha Arvensis Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Zawadskii Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Xanthium Strumarium Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Biotin, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Parfum, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientEthyl Canolate
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientParfum
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingDimethiconol
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein
Skin ConditioningKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Flour
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Behentrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethyl Canolate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Parfum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Dimethiconol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Protein, Keratin Amino Acids, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Flour, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Helianthus Annuus Seed, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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%.
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseLinalool 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 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 GlycolWater. 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