What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientLauryl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTriolein
Skin ConditioningPentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantPEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingMagnolia Denudata Flower Extract
Ceramide Ns
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Squalane, Lauryl Dimethicone, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Parfum, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Triolein, Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Bisabolol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Magnolia Denudata Flower Extract, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ng, Water, Tocopherol, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Vegetable Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingCalcium Pantothenate
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingPolyquaternium-11
Safflower Glucoside
Benzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingXylitylglucoside
HumectantCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingResveratrol
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Alcohol Denat., Arginine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Caffeine, Limonene, Pyridoxine Hcl, Linalool, Polyquaternium-11, Safflower Glucoside, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Xylitylglucoside, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Resveratrol, Tocopherol, BHT, Sodium Citrate, Parfum
Reviews
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 SalicylateCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as 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