What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Polyurethane-14
Amp-Acrylates Copolymer
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantCeteareth-20
CleansingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-37
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCaryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Polyurethane-14, Amp-Acrylates Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Beeswax, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Sodium Benzoate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Alcohol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycol Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantCeteareth-20
CleansingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-11
Polyquaternium-37
Polyquaternium-72
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientC10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEugenol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycol Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ceteareth-20, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Polyquaternium-11, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-72, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Eugenol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 GlycolCeteareth-20 is an emulsifier and surfactant made by reacting cetearyl alcohol with 20 moles of ethylene oxide.
This gives it both oil and water-loving properties that makes it an effect emulsifier; it's really great at pulling oil droplets into water to create a stable, creamy, and easy-to-spread base.
Typical use ranges from 0.5-30%. Most leave-on products are in the 1-10% zone.
The 20 ethylene oxide units is well above the PEG-10 threshold and therefore not a food source for Malassezia (it's fungal acne safe).
This ingredient has a comedogenic rating of 2 and an irritancy rating of 3. These numbers come from testing the raw ingredient on rabbit ears and doesn't reflect how it will behave in a finished product.
In practice, this ingredient is a well-tolerated ingredient. The ratings reflect cautious lab conditions and not real-world use. Just be sure to patch test any formulas you feel unsure about.
Learn more about Ceteareth-20Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
A 2019 study has also observed Malassezia growth in the presence of this ingredient, confirming it to be not-fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde is a synthetic fragrance. The more common name for this ingredient is Lyral.
The scent of lyral is described as sweet and floral-like.
Lyral is a known EU allergen and causes contact dermatitis when applied to the skin.
Learn more about Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene CarboxaldehydeParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-37 yet.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWe don't have a description for PPG-1 Trideceth-6 yet.
This ingredient is an emollient designed to leave a non-greasy feel. It is also a skin conditioning agent and viscosity modifier.
Skin irritation studies for this ingredient (up to 80%) showed mimimal to no irritation.
One thing worth knowing: this ingredient may enhance the skin penetration of other ingredients.
Overall, this ingredient is a well-tolerated and lightweight emollient.
Learn more about Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/DicaprateWater. 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