What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Amodimethicone
Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Dicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingCetyl Esters
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylamide Copolymer
Acetic Acid
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingC12-16 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingTrisodium Hedta
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Hexamethylindanopyran
Masking
Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Squalane, Amodimethicone, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Cetyl Esters, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Cetrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylamide Copolymer, Acetic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-16 Alketh-9, Trideceth-12, Trideceth-15, Trideceth-3, Trisodium Hedta, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Hexamethylindanopyran
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Cocamide Mipa
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Spirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-4
EmulsifyingLaureth-4
Emulsifying
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Quaternium-80
Polyquaternium-44
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Nitrate
Magnesium Chloride
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamide Mipa, Panthenol, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Steareth-4, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Quaternium-80, Polyquaternium-44, Propylene Glycol, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycol Stearate, Glycol Distearate, PEG-150 Distearate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone 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 EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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 PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
