What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAmodimethicone
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTrehalose
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Gluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingPEG-7 Propylheptyl Ether
Emulsion StabilisingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialSodium Sulfate
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Collagen Amino Acids, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Lactic Acid, Behentrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Oryza Sativa Extract, Parfum, Dipropylene Glycol, Amodimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Gluconolactone, Sodium Chloride, PEG-7 Propylheptyl Ether, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
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
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%.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCetearyl 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 AlcoholThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAHydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinParfum 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.
We don't have a description for Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine yet.
Water. 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