What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dimethicone
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCoco-Caprylate
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningBis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningMorinda Citrifolia Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberLimonene
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingPseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
HumectantDimethicone, Isohexadecane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Coco-Caprylate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Propanediol, Zea Mays Oil, Beta-Carotene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Water, Morinda Citrifolia Seed Powder, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Limonene, Tocopherol, Citral, Linalool, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Citronellol, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientCanola Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
PerfumingHypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Grandis Peel Extract
AstringentSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentMenthol
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingIsoeugenol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingGlycine Soja Oil, Canola Oil, Parfum, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Menthol, BHT, Amyl Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Limonene, Coumarin, Citronellol, Isoeugenol, Eugenol, Citral
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term '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.
Learn more about CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool 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 Parfum