What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearyl Heptanoate
EmollientSilt
AbsorbentSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientCera Alba
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingPrunus Domestica Seed Extract
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingParfum
MaskingSaccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingMalpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Silt, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Cera Alba, Polysorbate 20, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Parfum, Saccharomyces/Grape Ferment Extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Linalool, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Phospholipids
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Myristate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingOryzanol
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
AntioxidantMyristyl Laurate
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeCinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum Leaf Oil
PerfumingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingFoeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantParfum
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Myristyl Myristate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Oryzanol, Bisabolol, Myristyl Laurate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Cinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Foeniculum Vulgare Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, Parfum, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool
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 AlcoholCetearyl Ethylhexanoate is derived from cetearyl alcohol and sorbic acid.
It is an emollient and helps hydrate the skin. Emollients form a barrier on the skin to prevent water from escaping.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLimonene 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 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.
Tocopherol 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