What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientPolyquaternium-37
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPolyquaternium-11
Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
EmollientCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Quaternium-91
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Methosulfate
AntimicrobialDimethiconol
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Glycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingC12-16 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTribehenin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexadecanolactone
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Limonene
PerfumingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingAcetyl Cedrene
Citronellol
PerfumingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingAmyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTerpineol
MaskingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingRose Ketone-4
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Polyquaternium-11, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-91, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethiconol, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Phenyl Trimethicone, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-16 Alketh-9, Trideceth-12, Caprylyl Glycol, Tribehenin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexadecanolactone, Geraniol, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Limonene, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Acetyl Cedrene, Citronellol, Geranyl Acetate, Amyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Terpineol, Linalyl Acetate, Rose Ketone-4
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Polyquaternium-37
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingBis-PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-11
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeC10-13 Isoparaffin
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSodium Acetate
BufferingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventLinalyl Acetate
MaskingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPinene
MaskingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater, Vp/Va Copolymer, Polyquaternium-37, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bis-PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-11, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Disodium EDTA, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Sorbic Acid, C10-13 Isoparaffin, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Acetate, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Linalool, Limonene, Isopropyl Alcohol, Linalyl Acetate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Pinene, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Geranyl Acetate, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, 1,2-Hexanediol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate is a type of silicone and isn't fungal acne safe.
Geranyl Acetate is a fragrance. It can cause irritation.
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 LinaloolLinalyl Acetate is the acetate ester of linalool and can be naturally found in many flowers and spice plants.
This ingredient is often used to add a scent or mask an unpleasant one in products.
Linalyl acetate is mildly toxic to humans and toxic to fish.
Learn more about Linalyl AcetateParfum 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 PhenoxyethanolPhenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeWe don't have a description for Polyquaternium-11 yet.
We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-37 yet.
We 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/DicaprateThis ingredient is also known as ISO E Super. It is a synthetic perfuming and masking ingredient.
The manufacturer describes this scnet as amber and woody.
According to the EU, this ingredient is a known allergen and some people may develop skin sensitivity from repeated exposure.
Learn more about Tetramethyl AcetyloctahydronaphthalenesWater. 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