What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcrylates Copolymer
Polyurethane-34
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCI 77220
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingMethylpropanediol
SolventLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGeraniol
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingPhenylpropanol
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyurethane-34, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Parfum, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 80, Aminomethyl Propanol, CI 77220, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Methylpropanediol, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, Phenylpropanol, Propylene Glycol, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingC12-16 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberBHT
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Disiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-16 Pareth-9, Trideceth-12, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, BHT, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citral
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 Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer yet.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitral 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 CitralEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinLimonene 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-12 Dimethicone is a type of water-soluble silicone. It has skin conditioning and hydrating properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's stability is decreased by strong acid or alkali.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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