What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Amaranth Protein
Skin ConditioningSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-37
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingMagnesium Nitrate
Magnesium Chloride
C12-16 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingTrisodium Hedta
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Amaranth Protein, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, C11-15 Pareth-7, Citric Acid, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride, C12-16 Pareth-9, Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Trisodium Hedta, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDidecyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-37
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningHedychium Coronarium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract
HumectantAlgae Extract
EmollientWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Nitrate
Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMagnesium Chloride
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Didecyldimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37, Panthenol, Hedychium Coronarium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract, Algae Extract, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Cetrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Magnesium Nitrate, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
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 AlcoholIsopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholMagnesium chloride is a mineral salt made from magnesium and chloride. It is mainly used to control product stability and texture in cosmetics.
This ingredient can also play a role in soothing the skin and supporting normal skin function.
Magnesium chloride is water-soluble, generally well tolerated, and does not act as a strong “active” ingredient on its own.
Learn more about Magnesium ChlorideWe don't have a description for Magnesium Nitrate yet.
Methylchloroisothiazolinone, or MCI, is a synthetic preservative used to protect against the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi in water-based products.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI) in a 3:1 ratio.
This ingredient is safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-sensitizing and concentrations must not exceed 7.5 ppm in leave-on products / 15 ppm in rinse-off products.
Unfortunately, this ingredient has a well-documented sensitization story. Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient + MI to cause skin irritation and allergies.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
This just means this ingredient is most likely non-sensitizing in rinse-off products unless you've been diagnosed with a contact allergy to isothiazolinones.
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI).
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinonePanthenol 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-37 yet.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWe don't have a description for PPG-1 Trideceth-6 yet.
This ingredient is an emollient designed to leave a non-greasy feel. It is also a skin conditioning agent and viscosity modifier.
Skin irritation studies for this ingredient (up to 80%) showed mimimal to no irritation.
One thing worth knowing: this ingredient may enhance the skin penetration of other ingredients.
Overall, this ingredient is a well-tolerated and lightweight emollient.
Learn more about Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/DicaprateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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