What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin ConditioningFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Chestnut Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Walnut Extract
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Chestnut Extract, Hydrolyzed Walnut Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Gluconate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, Diisostearyl Malate, Limonene, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Geraniol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Linalool, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Hydroxycitronellal, Citric Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningChitosan Succinamide
Cetyl Esters
EmollientHydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein
Skin ConditioningPentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingLavandula Dentata Flower/Leaf Oil
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingSantalum Spicata Wood Oil
PerfumingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeLaurus Nobilis Leaf Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantSalvia Officinalis Leaf Oil
Sodium Lactate
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientFoeniculum Vulgare Seed
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingJasminum Sambac Flower Oil
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPiper Nigrum Fruit Oil
MaskingPCA
HumectantVanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil
EmollientVetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
MaskingGlycine
BufferingAvena Sativa Bran Extract
AbrasiveRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingAlanine
MaskingMentha Aquatica Leaf Oil
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEstagole
Geraniol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Yeast Extract, Chitosan Succinamide, Cetyl Esters, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein, Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Lavandula Dentata Flower/Leaf Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Santalum Spicata Wood Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Laurus Nobilis Leaf Oil, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Sodium PCA, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium Lactate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Foeniculum Vulgare Seed, Arginine, Jasminum Sambac Flower Oil, Aspartic Acid, Piper Nigrum Fruit Oil, PCA, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Glycine, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Alanine, Mentha Aquatica Leaf Oil, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Threonine, Proline, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Limonene, Eugenol, Citral, Estagole, Geraniol
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 AlcoholGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLimonene 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 LinaloolPotassium 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 SorbateRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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