What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMenthol
MaskingHedychium Coronarium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantOleamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycol Stearate
EmollientPEG-150 Distearate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingPolyquaternium-7
Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeMagnesium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Limonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide Mipa, Parfum, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Panthenol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Menthol, Hedychium Coronarium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Algae Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Oleamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Glycol Stearate, PEG-150 Distearate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-7, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, CI 42090, CI 19140
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingPolysilicone-15
UV FilterKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Isohexadecane, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Polysilicone-15, Keratin Amino Acids, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Parfum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Citronellol, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 Parfum