What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeParfum
MaskingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingAcacia Concinna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBalanites Aegyptiaca Fruit Extract
Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientAmodimethicone
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-7
Sericin
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberCitric Acid
BufferingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Cetyl Esters, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Balanites Aegyptiaca Fruit Extract, Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Dimethiconol, Amodimethicone, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Polyquaternium-7, Sericin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Citric Acid, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSqualane
EmollientHydrogenated Farnesene
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCetyl Esters
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Squalane, Hydrogenated Farnesene, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Esters, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Behentrimonium Chloride, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Panthenol, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Gluconate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
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 and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
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 AlcoholCetyl Esters is a synthetic wax made up of mostly fatty acids and fatty alcohols. It is strcturally similar to wax taken from whales.
As an emollient, it creates a thin barrier on the skin. This barrier prevents moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Cetyl EstersEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumWe don't have a description for Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine yet.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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