What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAvena Sativa Meal Extract
SoothingParfum
MaskingPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Sulfite
PreservativeBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycine Soja Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Parfum, PEG-40 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParaffin
PerfumingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
PEG-35 Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingSerine
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingUrea
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
PreservativeSodium Chloride
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCalcium Pantothenate
Inositol
HumectantLinoleic Acid
CleansingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Glyceryl Stearate, Paraffin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Carbomer, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentylene Glycol, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Serine, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Sorbitol, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Alcohol Denat., Tocopherol, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Calcium Pantothenate, Inositol, Linoleic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Biotin, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateButylphenyl Methylpropional is a synthetic fragrance. You might know it as "lilial". The scent of this ingredient is floral-like and similar to the scent of lily flowers.
In March of 2022, the EU banned this ingredient in both rinse-off and leave-on products. This is because research found Butylphenyl Methylpropional to disrupt fertility in rats.
This ingredient is also a known EU allergen, meaning it is likely to cause an allergic reaction. Irritated skin can be damaging.
We always recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns or questions about this ingredient.
Learn more about Butylphenyl MethylpropionalThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholHexyl 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 CinnamalParfum 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 ParfumSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water