What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeDistearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Hydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantCombretum Farinosum Flower Nectar
MaskingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingAmodimethicone/Morpholinomethyl Silsesquioxane Copolymer
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCetyl Palmitate
EmollientParfum
MaskingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTrideceth-5
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Distearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Combretum Farinosum Flower Nectar, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Amodimethicone/Morpholinomethyl Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Parfum, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Trideceth-5, Methylparaben, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientChrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract
AntimicrobialStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantKeratin
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingMenthol
MaskingArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantMagnesium Chloride
Magnesium Nitrate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-10
HumectantPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningThuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantAmodimethicone
Lecithin
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeLactobacillus/Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract/Honeysuckle Flower Extract/Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract/Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Chrysanthemum Sibiricum Extract, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetrimonium Chloride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glutamic Acid, Glycerin, Keratin, Morus Alba Root Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-12, Menthol, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Panthenol, PEG-10, Persea Gratissima Oil, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Amodimethicone, Lecithin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Behentrimonium Chloride, Lactobacillus/Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract/Honeysuckle Flower Extract/Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract/Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract Ferment Filtrate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum
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 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 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 AlcoholThis 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.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinParfum 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 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.
We don't have a description for Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine yet.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water