What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Incarnata Seed Oil
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingPolyurethane-14
Sodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer
Amp-Acrylates Copolymer
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSodium Chloride
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingCaprylic Acid
CleansingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingXylitol
HumectantSorbic Acid
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitral
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Decyl Glucoside, Cocos Nucifera Water, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Panthenol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Polyurethane-14, Sodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer, Amp-Acrylates Copolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Caprylic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Xylitol, Sorbic Acid, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningIsobutane
Polyimide-1
Heptyl Glucoside
SurfactantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingTilia Tomentosa Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingLamium Album Extract
AstringentSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingPinus Sylvestris Bud Extract
PerfumingNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingArctium Majus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTropaeolum Majus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPhytic Acid
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingXylitol
HumectantCaprylic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCastor/Olive Oil Esters
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolyquaternium-28
Propanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingCitronellal
MaskingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingWater, Isobutane, Polyimide-1, Heptyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Lamium Album Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Bud Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Flower Extract, Cyclodextrin, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Phytic Acid, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Glycerin, Castor/Olive Oil Esters, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-28, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Citronellal, Hydroxycitronellal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholThis ingredient is also known as octanoic acid. It is a fatty acid that is naturally found in (and sourced from) coconut oil and palm kernel oil.
In cosmetics, it plays several roles:
The antimicrobial activity has been documented: Caprylic Acid is able to disrupt microbial cell membranes and is confirmed to be effective against some bacteria and yeasts.
Cosmetic use levels are often under 5% because very high concentrations (70-99%) can be corrosive as shown in patch-testing.
On the fungal acne side, Caprylic Acid sits outside the C11-24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize. It is also one of the more studied fatty acids for anti-Malassezia activity; a study from 2020 showed that just 0.2 caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur under a Transmission Electron Microscope.
The comedogenic rating of 1 and irritancy rating of 3 comes from the 1989 Rabbit Ear Study. Since rabbit ear models produce a lot of false positives, anything scoring 0-1 means it is unlikely to cause comedones in humans.
The 3 for irritancy reflects that capylic acid is a weak organic acid that is corrosive in undiluted form.
Just so you know, both of these numbers came from being tested at 100% on hypersensitive rabbit skin. This is going to look very different at the <5% use levels in your cosmetics.
Plus, comedogenicity is more about the finished formula rather than individual ingredients. Be sure to patch test if you're unsure!
Learn more about Caprylic AcidCitric 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 AcidCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is also known as flaxseed extract. It has skin conditioning and perfuming properties.
Flaxseed naturally contains polysaccharides (sugars) and small amounts of fatty acid-related compounds to help hydrate the skin. The seed also contains antioxidants being studied for its effects on inflammation pathways.
A small clinical trial found topical flaxseed oil improved hand eczema over the course of 4 weeks. In an animal study, topical flaxseed cream supported wound-healing outcomes.
Overall, flaxseed is a great hydrating and barrier supporting ingredient. Like other plant extracts, some rare cases of allergic reactions can occur.
Though flaxseed has a perfuming function according to INCI, this doesn't mean the ingredient is added as a fragrance. It just means the material can contribute an odor or modify the scent of a formula.
Learn more about Linum Usitatissimum Seed ExtractParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateThis ingredient comes from chia seeds (the same ones you put in your smoothie!). It has emollient and skin conditioning properties due to its rich concentration of linoleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
One small clinical study of 10 people found that a 4% chia seed oil formulation significantly improved skin hydration and soothed itchiness in 8 weeks. Another study showed using a chia seed extract enriched with vitamin F told skin cells to produce more of their own hydration factors.
There's also some lab evidence that chia seed extract, when paired with pomegranate extract, may help reduce excess pigment production.
Learn more about Salvia Hispanica Seed ExtractWater. 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 WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about Xylitol