What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAmodimethicone
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventStearamine Oxide
CleansingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPolyquaternium-113
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolysilicone-15
UV FilterShorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientLitchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrated Silica
AbrasiveLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Phosphate
BufferingCystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingPinene
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetyl Esters, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearamine Oxide, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Ceteareth-20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Polyquaternium-113, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Panthenol, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl Glycol, Quaternium-95, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Glycerin, Polysilicone-15, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Citric Acid, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrated Silica, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Phosphate, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexamethylindanopyran, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Pinene, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Linalyl Acetate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientC21-28 Alkane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOctafluoropentyl Methacrylate
Glyceryl Triacetyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeJojoba Esters
EmollientSodium Grapeseedamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingChitosan
Hydroxyethyl Diethylenetriamine Dioleamide/Palmitamide
Bis-(Isostearoyl/Oleoyl Isopropyl) Dimonium Methosulfate
Skin ConditioningMethylthiopropylamido Acetyl Methionine
Skin ProtectingLauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCetyl Stearate
EmollientLinoleamidopropyl Dimethylamine Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingCetylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, C21-28 Alkane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Octafluoropentyl Methacrylate, Glyceryl Triacetyl Hydroxystearate, Propanediol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Grapeseedamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Squalane, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Chitosan, Hydroxyethyl Diethylenetriamine Dioleamide/Palmitamide, Bis-(Isostearoyl/Oleoyl Isopropyl) Dimonium Methosulfate, Methylthiopropylamido Acetyl Methionine, Lauryl/Myristyl Polyricinoleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Stearate, Linoleamidopropyl Dimethylamine Dimer Dilinoleate, Sodium PCA, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, PEG-75 Shea Butter Glycerides, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Parfum, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol
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%.
This ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCetearyl 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 AlcoholGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideHexyl 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 LimoneneParfum 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractWater. 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