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
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantAmodimethicone
Quaternium-91
Parfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
ChelatingGeraniol
PerfumingCitrol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitronellal
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingChimyl Alcohol
EmollientCitral
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, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Amodimethicone, Quaternium-91, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Geraniol, Citrol, Linalool, Potassium Hydroxide, Citronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Chimyl Alcohol, 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 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 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, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
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.
Geraniol 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 the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as 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