What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingTilia Cordata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentMenthol
MaskingSpirulina Maxima Extract
SmoothingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Stearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Glycerin, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Menthol, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Polysorbate 60, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningCymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCetrimonium Bromide
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetrimonium Bromide, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHelianthus 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 OilHydrolyzed Soy Protein is a vegan protein made to mimic hydrolyzed collagen. It is created from soy, or glycine soja.
This ingredient is a humectant, meaning it helps hydrate the skin by binding to water. According to a manufacturer, it is also a great hair conditioner.
Read more about hydrolyzed collagen here.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Soy ProteinParfum 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 ParfumThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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