What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Pyrenoidosa Extract
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Flower
Skin ConditioningStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientWater, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Chlorella Pyrenoidosa Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Flower, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeParfum
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCaryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningEthyl Linoleate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthyl Oleate
EmollientPanthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-7
Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Dimethicone, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Panthenol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Ethyl Linoleate, Butylene Glycol, Ethyl Oleate, Panthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hedera Helix Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol
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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumTocopherol 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