What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAmodimethicone
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-37
Dimethiconol
EmollientParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientTrideceth-5
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-10
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingAcetic Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Amodimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-37, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Trideceth-5, Steareth-20, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Limonene, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Trideceth-10, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Sorbitan Oleate, Acetic Acid, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Eugenol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientPropanediol
SolventBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientBis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate
Skin ConditioningBrassicyl Valinate Esylate
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientBrassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientCalcium Gluconate
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Aspartic Acid
MaskingPotassium Lactate
BufferingXimenia Americana Seed Oil
EmollientPCA
HumectantHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingRaphanus Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Oleate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycine
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingAlanine
MaskingAlgin
MaskingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSerine
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialValine
MaskingCarrageenan
Chitosan
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Histidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingMagnolia Officinalis Bark Extract
AntimicrobialBetula Alba Bark Extract
MaskingCrambe Maritima Extract
Skin ProtectingUlmus Fulva Bark Extract
MoisturisingCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Propanediol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Isoamyl Laurate, Squalane, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Brassicyl Valinate Esylate, Cetyl Esters, Pentylene Glycol, Phenethyl Benzoate, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Sodium PCA, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Calcium Gluconate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Panthenol, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Sodium Phytate, Aspartic Acid, Potassium Lactate, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, PCA, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Propylene Glycol, Glycine, Citric Acid, Alanine, Algin, Coco-Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Serine, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Valine, Carrageenan, Chitosan, Xanthan Gum, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Crambe Maritima Extract, Ulmus Fulva Bark Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Seed Extract, Zea Mays Starch, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralCitric 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 AcidCitronellol 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 CitronellolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.
It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.
According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.
Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateWater. 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