What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-4 Rapeseedamide
Ceteareth-25
CleansingToluene-2,5-Diamine Sulfate
Ammonium Hydroxide
BufferingParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Sulfite
PreservativePolyquaternium-22
Ceteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
Emulsifying4-Chlororesorcinol
Amodimethicone
Sodium Hydrosulfite
EDTA
C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7
EmulsifyingOleyl Alcohol
EmollientM-Aminophenol
Erythorbic Acid
Antioxidant2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Hcl
C12-14 Sec-Pareth-5
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
Perfuming4-Amino-2-Hydroxytoluene
Lanolin Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAcetic Acid
BufferingMethylparaben
PreservativeEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantEthyl Ester Of Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningPropylparaben
PreservativeHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDMDM Hydantoin
PreservativeImidazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-4 Rapeseedamide, Ceteareth-25, Toluene-2,5-Diamine Sulfate, Ammonium Hydroxide, Paraffinum Liquidum, Parfum, Sodium Sulfite, Polyquaternium-22, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, 4-Chlororesorcinol, Amodimethicone, Sodium Hydrosulfite, EDTA, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-7, Oleyl Alcohol, M-Aminophenol, Erythorbic Acid, 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Hcl, C12-14 Sec-Pareth-5, Dimethicone, Linalool, Limonene, 4-Amino-2-Hydroxytoluene, Lanolin Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Acetic Acid, Methylparaben, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Alcohol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Ethyl Ester Of Hydrolyzed Silk, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Potassium Sorbate, DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Disodium EDTA, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialStearic Acid
CleansingSteareth-21
CleansingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientKeratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantSilk Amino Acids
HumectantMelanin
Skin ProtectingSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingPolyquaternium-53
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycol Distearate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingOleyl Alcohol
EmollientPhosphoric Acid
BufferingSodium Metasilicate
BufferingSodium Sulfite
PreservativeEDTA
Erythorbic Acid
AntioxidantParfum
Masking1-Naphthol
N,N'-Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2-Nitro-P-Phenylenediamine
M-Aminophenol
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propylene Glycol, Ammonium Hydroxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearic Acid, Steareth-21, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Lauryl Glucoside, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetyl Alcohol, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Silk Amino Acids, Melanin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Polyquaternium-53, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycol Distearate, Isostearic Acid, Oleyl Alcohol, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Metasilicate, Sodium Sulfite, EDTA, Erythorbic Acid, Parfum, 1-Naphthol, N,N'-Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)-2-Nitro-P-Phenylenediamine, M-Aminophenol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Ammonium Hydroxide yet.
Cetearyl 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.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholWe don't have a description for Ceteth-10 Phosphate yet.
We don't have a description for Dicetyl Phosphate yet.
EDTA is the shortened name for ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. It is a chelating agent and used to stabilize products.
Chelating Agents are used to prevent trace metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This can prevent unwanted reactions or changed efficacy of products.
Erythorbic Acid is an antioxidant.
Hydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinWe don't have a description for M-Aminophenol yet.
Oleyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol made from oleic acid.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols.
Paraffinum Liquidum is a highly-refined cosmetic-grade mineral oil. It is also known as liquid paraffin.
Despite its controversial reputation, the science is pretty clear: it's one of the most well-studied and effective moisturizing ingredients out there.
As an occlusive, it forms a protective layer on the skin that locks in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This makes it especially great for compromised skin barriers.
The "it clogs your pores" myth has been around for decades; a study found that industrial-grade mineral oil may be comedogenic but cosmetic-grade mineral oil is not (these two are very, very different).
A 2017 review concluded that cosmetic use of mineral oils and waxes does not present a risk to consumers due to absorption.
Mineral oil got a bad rap from the old rabbit ear studies. When tested on actual human skin, cosmetic-grade mineral oil showed no comedogenic activity. The rating of 0 is a correction of outdated science.
Mineral oil is an inert substance with no fatty acids so there's nothing to feed Malassezia. This ingredient is fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Paraffinum LiquidumParfum 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 ParfumPropylene 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 GlycolSodium Sulfite is a preservative. Preservatives help prevent mold and bacteria from growing in cosmetics.
This ingredient has been shown to break the bonds in hair, acting as a natural straightener.
It is commonly used in food. It should be noted sodium sulfite degrades both vitamins B1 and E.
Fun fact: Sulfites are naturally occuring in wine.
Learn more about Sodium SulfiteWater. 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