What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrofluorocarbon 152a
Vp/Va Copolymer
Butane
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Hydrofluorocarbon 152a, Vp/Va Copolymer, Butane, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Amodimethicone, Laureth-7, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Salicylic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPropane
Butane
Polyquaternium-4
Isobutane
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Va Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chitosan
Polyquaternium-16
Parfum
Masking
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Formic Acid
Preservative
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Methylparaben
Preservative
Histidine
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butane is a gas derived from petroleum and natural gas. It is used as an aerosol propellant.
Hexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalParfum 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 PhenoxyethanolVP/VA Copolymer is a synthetic polymer made by joining two smaller molecules (vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate) into a larger chain.
It is mainly used as a film-former and fixing agent. When a product dries, it creates a thin and flexible layer on the skin, hair, or nails. This film helps hold hairstyles into place, adds a smooth feel to skin, and traps moisture to reduce dryness.
Irritation is rare at normal concentrations and it doesn't penetrate deeply into skin.
Learn more about Vp/Va CopolymerWater. 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
