What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingAmodimethicone
Polyquaternium-37
PPG-5-Ceteth-10 Phosphate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientAcetamide Mea
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingLactamide Mea
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeXylose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingDimethiconol
EmollientBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningIsoeugenol
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantMelanin
Skin ProtectingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-37, PPG-5-Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Acetamide Mea, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Lactamide Mea, Dimethicone, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Butylene Glycol, Trideceth-6, Behentrimonium Chloride, Xylose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Linalool, Dimethiconol, Benzophenone-4, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Tocopherol, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Isoeugenol, BHT, Melanin, Sodium Benzoate, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-80
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSymphytum Officinale Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingSilica
AbrasiveAlumina
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Quaternium-80, Polysorbate 20, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Citric Acid, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Hexyl Cinnamal, Silica, Alumina, Titanium Dioxide, CI 19140, CI 16035
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidParfum 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 PhenoxyethanolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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