What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialBetaine
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethylpabamidopropyl Laurdimonium Tosylate
Amodimethicone
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningDiazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethylpabamidopropyl Laurdimonium Tosylate, Amodimethicone, Panthenol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Trideceth-12, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientParfum
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantDiazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantLinoleic Acid
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Parfum, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Linoleic Acid, Citric Acid, CI 19140, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDiazolidinyl Urea is an antimicrobial preservative. It is commonly used to prevent bacterial, yeast, and mold growth.
Diazolidinyl Urea slowly breaks down into formaldehyde, an effective microbe killer but also a known allergen/carcinogen.
Some people who are allergic to imidazolidinyl urea also react to diazolidinyl urea. It ranked as the 14th most common allergen in patch tests from 2005–06.
Safety reviews show that at concentrations under 0.5%, the formaldehyde released remains below the accepted safety limit, making it considered safe for cosmetic use.
Ultimately, its safety depends on individual skin sensitivity and personal comfort with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
Learn more about Diazolidinyl UreaDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate is a preservative.
Parfum 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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water