What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylamide
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
PEG-8 Methicone
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77163
Cosmetic Colorant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Propylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, PEG-8 Methicone, Parfum, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77163, Mica, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningChitosan Succinamide
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein
Skin ConditioningPentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Lavandula Dentata Flower/Leaf Oil
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Santalum Spicatum Wood Oil
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Laurus Nobilis Leaf Oil
Masking
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
Masking
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Oil
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Foeniculum Vulgare Seed
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Jasminum Sambac Flower Oil
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Piper Nigrum Fruit Oil
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil
Emollient
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Avena Sativa Bran Extract
Abrasive
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Alanine
Masking
Mentha Aquatica Leaf Oil
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Phenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Estagole
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Yeast Extract, Chitosan Succinamide, Cetyl Esters, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein, Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Lavandula Dentata Flower/Leaf Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Santalum Spicatum Wood Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Laurus Nobilis Leaf Oil, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Sodium PCA, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium Lactate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed, Arginine, Jasminum Sambac Flower Oil, Aspartic Acid, Piper Nigrum Fruit Oil, PCA, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Glycine, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Alanine, Mentha Aquatica Leaf Oil, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Threonine, Proline, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Limonene, Eugenol, Citral, Estagole, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholEugenol is naturally found in cloves, basil, and bay leaves. It is an aromatic oil used to add fragrance to a product. The scent of eugenol is described as "clove-like". Eugenol is a known EU allergen, meaning it causes contact allergies.
Studies show eugenol possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Besides cosmetics, eugenol is also added as a flavor in teas and cakes.
Learn more about EugenolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein yet.
Limonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolWater. 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
