What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPropoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingVp/Va Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingPolyquaternium-55
Linalool
PerfumingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingAcetic Acid
BufferingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Acetate
BufferingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingDenatonium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Alcohol, Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Trideceth-6, Parfum, Vp/Va Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Hydroxycitronellal, Cetrimonium Chloride, C11-15 Pareth-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Salicylate, Polyquaternium-55, Linalool, T-Butyl Alcohol, Acetic Acid, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Sodium Acetate, Geraniol, Citronellol, Coumarin, Limonene, Eugenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Denatonium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCoconut Alkanes
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantAmodimethicone
Quaternium-91
Parfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Geraniol
PerfumingCitrol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitronellal
MaskingIsomethyl-Beta-Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingChimyl Alcohol
EmollientEugenol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Carrot Protein/Hydrolyzed Kale Protein/Hydrolyzed Lemon Protein Extract
Hydrolyzed Barley Protein
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingIsoeugenol
Perfuming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantWater, Propylene Glycol, Coconut Alkanes, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Amodimethicone, Quaternium-91, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-12, Disodium EDTA, Geraniol, Citrol, Linalool, Potassium Hydroxide, Citronellal, Isomethyl-Beta-Ionone, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Chimyl Alcohol, Eugenol, Citral, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Hydrolyzed Carrot Protein/Hydrolyzed Kale Protein/Hydrolyzed Lemon Protein Extract, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Benzyl Salicylate, Isoeugenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
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.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholBenzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl 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.
Eugenol is naturally found in cloves, basil, and bay leaves. It is an aromatic oil used to add fragrance to a product. The scent of eugenol is described as "clove-like". Eugenol is a known EU allergen, meaning it causes contact allergies.
Studies show eugenol possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Besides cosmetics, eugenol is also added as a flavor in teas and cakes.
Learn more about EugenolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolLimonene 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water