What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialIsododecane
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantVp/Va Copolymer
Dimethiconol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-16
Parfum
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberDimethicone
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCalcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Quartz
AbrasiveCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveGeraniol
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
CI 61565
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Isododecane, Disiloxane, Glycerin, Vp/Va Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-16, Parfum, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Amyl Cinnamal, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Quartz, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, CI 77891, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Silica, Geraniol, Farnesol, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, CI 61565, Tin Oxide, CI 60725
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingAmodimethicone
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-4
Potato Starch Modified
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Cinnamate
PerfumingCreatine
Skin Conditioning2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Isopropyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Amodimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Polyquaternium-4, Potato Starch Modified, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Behentrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-6, Amyl Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Isopropyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Cetrimonium Chloride, Citronellol, Limonene, Benzyl Cinnamate, Creatine, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Taurine, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Amyl Cinnamal is a synthetically produced fragrance. Its scent is reminiscent of jasmine flowers.
Amyl Cinnamal is a known EU allergen. This means it is known to cause skin sensitivity and allergies.
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 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 CitronellolDimethicone 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 CinnamalHydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Limonene 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumWater. 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