What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTrimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSteareth-2
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientCeteth-24
CleansingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane
Isotridecyl Alcohol
Silicone Quaternium-16
Skin ConditioningUndeceth-11
EmollientButyloctanol
HumectantUndeceth-5
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Keratin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-53
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingMethylpentenylcyclohexene Carbaldehyde
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Steareth-2, Dimethicone, Ceteth-24, Phospholipids, Cetrimonium Chloride, Tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane, Isotridecyl Alcohol, Silicone Quaternium-16, Undeceth-11, Butyloctanol, Undeceth-5, Propylene Glycol, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Keratin, Parfum, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polyquaternium-53, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Methylpentenylcyclohexene Carbaldehyde, Geraniol, Amyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningAlmond Milk
Coconut Milk
Oat Milk
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantParfum
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthyl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingDipteryx Odorata Seed Extract
MaskingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAnise Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Cinnamate
PerfumingCinnamal
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, Oat Milk, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Parfum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethyl Macadamiate, C13-15 Alkane, Citrus Limon Juice, Propylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Behentrimonium Chloride, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Cetrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Anise Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Cinnamate, Cinnamal, Citral, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Benzoate is usually created from the condensation of benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol. It is used as a preservative, solvent, and has a floral/balsamic scent in large amounts.
As a preservative, Benzyl Benzoate works against bacteria and fungus. It is often used to treat scabies and lice in medicine.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Due to its fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate can be sensitizing and may cause contact dermatitis. It is a known EU allergen. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Benzyl Benzoate can be naturally found in cranberries and peaches.
Learn more about Benzyl BenzoateCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl 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.
Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateLimonene 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 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 ParfumPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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