What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTrametes Versicolor Extract
Polyquaternium-37
Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Nonanoate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLinalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Water, C13-15 Alkane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Polyquaternium-37, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare Bran Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Linoleic Acid, Glycerin, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil Expressed, Potassium Sorbate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Linalool, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dilauryl Thiodipropionate
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
Perfuming
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Esters, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Niacinamide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Trideceth-6, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Cetrimonium Chloride, CI 15985, CI 19140, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
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.
Citric 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Corn Protein yet.
This ingredient is a plant-derived protein made by breaking down wheat proteins into smaller amino acids and peptides. It has skin and hair conditioning properties.
People with known wheat allergy or a history of immediate reactions should be cautious with leave-on products containing hydrolyzed wheat proteins.
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc. The trade name for this ingredient is Leucidal.
Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid.
This ingredient has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.
Leuconostoc is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).
Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltrateLinalool 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 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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
