What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
ChelatingCyclomethicone
EmollientHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantAstragalus Gummifer Gum
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Cyclomethicone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Hydrolyzed Silk, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Astragalus Gummifer Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientDipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventParfum
MaskingDimethiconol
EmollientArginine
MaskingAminopropyl Dimethicone
Maleic Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialOleic Acid
EmollientDisodium EDTA
ChelatingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentCholesterol
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Linoleate
EmollientCapsicum Annuum Extract
MaskingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Linolenate
EmollientMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Arachidonate
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientWater, Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Dimethiconol, Arginine, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Maleic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Alcohol, Oleic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Dextrin, Cholesterol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Linoleate, Capsicum Annuum Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Glyceryl Linolenate, Malt Extract, Beta-Carotene, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Biotin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
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%.
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.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDisodium 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 EDTAIsopropyl Alcohol is a small, fast-evaporating alcohol.
Formulators use it as a solvent, a way to think out thick liquids, an antifoaming agent, and occasionally a fragrance ingredient.
Reported use concentrations run from 0.002%-100% and any number over 50% usually comes from a nail product.
Actual skincare numbers run much lower: cleansers (0.3-26%), toners (0.07-7%), face moisturizers (0.04-0.2%).
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed it and concluded it is safe in the present practices of use and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as a non-carcinogenic to humans.
True allergy to this ingredient is uncommon but real: 44 out of 1,450 patients patch tested between 1992-2011 reacted with most cases clustering in people with leg ulcers, occupational hand eczema, or repeated use of Isopropyl Alcohol on already-broken skin.
Irritation and dryness are far more likely than allergy; before you throw away your skincare, just know this is dose-dependent and the risk is modest.
The irritant potential of the alcohols used in hand antiseptics is very low and skin irritation is significantly lower after alcohol application than after detergents (though isopropanol is somewhat more irritating than ethanol).
A 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests so the industry keeps this ingredient at low percentages in eye-area products.
One genuine caution: a 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests, so it belongs at low percentages in eye-area products, which is where the industry already keeps it.
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.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholParfum 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 ParfumJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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