What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeParfum
MaskingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-150/Decyl Alcohol/Smdi Copolymer
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventPolyquaternium-37
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientArginine
MaskingSuccinic Acid
BufferingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPEG-90m
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLinalool
Perfuming3-Methyl-5-(2,2,3-Trimethyl-3-Cyclopentenyl)Pent-4-En-2-Ol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Steareth-2, Propylene Glycol, PEG-150/Decyl Alcohol/Smdi Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-37, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Arginine, Succinic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Glyceryl Laurate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, PEG-90m, Hydrolyzed Silk, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool, 3-Methyl-5-(2,2,3-Trimethyl-3-Cyclopentenyl)Pent-4-En-2-Ol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Linalyl Acetate, Limonene, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyquaternium-37
Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantArginine
MaskingPullulan
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingC12-16 Alketh-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlutamic Acid
HumectantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-16
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberPropanediol
SolventLauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrimethylsiloxyamodimethicone
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSh-Polypeptide-13
Skin ProtectingSh-Hexapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-18
Skin ConditioningSh-Polypeptide-14
Skin ProtectingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLactic Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingRose Ketones
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Pisum Sativum Seed Extract, Glycerin, Trehalose, Arginine, Pullulan, Panthenol, Dimethiconol, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-16 Alketh-9, Trideceth-12, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glutamic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Cetrimonium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyquaternium-16, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Quaternium-95, Propanediol, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sh-Polypeptide-13, Sh-Hexapeptide-4, Sh-Polypeptide-18, Sh-Polypeptide-14, Benzyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Citronellol, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Hexamethylindanopyran, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Rose Ketones, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineThis 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%.
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 AlcoholCetearyl 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.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
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 DimethiconeHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLauryl Glucoside sugar- and lipid-based cleansing agent. It is created from glucose and lauryl alcohol.
This ingredient is a surfactant, making it easier to rinse oil, dirt, and other pollutants away.
A British study found lauryl glucoside to cause skin sensitivity for some people. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Other names for this ingredient include "Lauryl Polyglucose", "Lauryl glycoside", and "D-Glucopyranoside".
Learn more about Lauryl GlucosideLimonene 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 LinaloolLinalyl Acetate is the acetate ester of linalool and can be naturally found in many flowers and spice plants.
This ingredient is often used to add a scent or mask an unpleasant one in products.
Linalyl acetate is mildly toxic to humans and toxic to fish.
Learn more about Linalyl AcetateParfum 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWe don't have a description for Polyquaternium-37 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