What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPrunin
AntioxidantPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialOctyldodecyl Ricinoleate
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberPEG-12
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientGelatin
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBehenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters
Acrylamides Copolymer
Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Citric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isopropyl Palmitate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Methyl Gluceth-20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Prunin, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Cetrimonium Chloride, Octyldodecyl Ricinoleate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Benzophenone-4, PEG-12, Dimethiconol, Gelatin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Mica, Xanthan Gum, Behenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters, Acrylamides Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientAmodimethicone
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPEG-100 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantHc Yellow No. 4
Dimethiconol
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSheep Milk
Skin ConditioningLauric Acid
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Cocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Callus
AntimicrobialCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantGolden Extract
Lysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientGlycine
BufferingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRosa Canina Seed Powder
AbrasiveSodium Benzoate
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingValine
MaskingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantCysteine Hcl
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingAlanine
MaskingThreonine
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingProline
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Amodimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 19140, Behentrimonium Chloride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, 1,2-Hexanediol, Steartrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetrimonium Chloride, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Hc Yellow No. 4, Dimethiconol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sheep Milk, Lauric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Camellia Sinensis Callus, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopheryl Acetate, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Golden Extract, Lysine Hcl, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Glycine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Keratin Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Canina Seed Powder, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium Phosphate, Valine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Cysteine Hcl, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Isoleucine, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Threonine, Sodium Phosphate, Proline, Ceramide NP, Methionine, Histidine, Parfum, Linalool
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%.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis 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 AlcoholCyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol 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.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 KeratinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseParfum 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 ParfumTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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