What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
CI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Polyquaternium-7, Isopropyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, CI 60730
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Amodimethicone
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Dicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Cetearamidopropyldimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyquaternium-55
Ceteareth-20
CleansingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Surfactant
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer
C12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingCorylus Avellana Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Borago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Linolenate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningMethicone
Emollient
Polyquaternium-10
Carbocysteine
AntiseborrhoeicPolyquaternium-7
Sericin
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Hydroxyethyl Cetearamidopropyldimonium Chloride, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-55, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Isopropyl Myristate, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Borago Officinalis Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Panthenol, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Zea Mays Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Lecithin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Octyldodecanol, BHT, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Methicone, Polyquaternium-10, Carbocysteine, Polyquaternium-7, Sericin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Citric Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone
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%.
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.
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.
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 AcidParfum 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 ParfumPolyquaternium-7 is a light to clear colored liquid. It is commonly found in haircare products for its film-forming and anti-static properties.
According to a manufacturer, it is a non-paraben and specially developed for negatively charged surfactant systems. This makes it a great hairstyle holder and helps to improve wet hair detangling without adding buildup.
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
