What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientParfum
MaskingAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSarcothalia Crispata
CleansingCamellia Sinensis Leaf
PerfumingCyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRibes Nigrum Fruit
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-73
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingIsopropanolamine
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Parfum, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Sarcothalia Crispata, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Cyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cocamide Mipa, Polyquaternium-73, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Isopropanolamine, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAmodimethicone
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialLinoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate Dimethicone
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingAcetic Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Chloride, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Cetrimonium Chloride, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate Dimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trideceth-3, Trideceth-15, Acetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
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 comes from the seed of the velvet flower. It has skin hydrating, nourishing, and antioxidant properties.
This seed is rich in peptides, fatty acids, squalene, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
According to manufacturer, this ingredient is great for adding softness and shine to hair.
Learn more about Amaranthus Caudatus Seed ExtractThis ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Isopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted effects and reactions from a product. These metal ions may come from water and are found in miniscule amounts.
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate can also help other preservatives be more effective.
Water. 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