What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientOryza Sativa Seed Protein
AntioxidantDimethiconol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDicaprylyl Maleate
EmollientSantalum Album Oil
MaskingCitrus Bergamia Peel Oil Expressed
PerfumingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-6
HumectantSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethylene Glycol
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sodium Polyacrylate, Gluconolactone, Phytic Acid, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, C15-19 Alkane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Dimethiconol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dicaprylyl Maleate, Santalum Album Oil, Citrus Bergamia Peel Oil Expressed, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Oryza Sativa Extract, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Panthenol, Polyglycerin-6, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Calcium Gluconate, Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Triethylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePvp
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLaureth-4
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingSilk Powder
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Propylene Glycol, Trisiloxane, Hexylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Pvp, Laureth-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-4, Linalool, Silk Powder, Benzophenone-4, Limonene, Geraniol, Eugenol, CI 60730, CI 60725, CI 17200, CI 19140, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Limonene 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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