What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopentyldiol
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantAminopropyl Dimethicone
Hydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPolysilicone-13
Steartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingSqualane
EmollientCamellia Seed Oil
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientSodium Methyltaurate
Skin ConditioningPEG-2 Laurate
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingC13-16 Isoparaffin
SolventLaurtrimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingC10-13 Isoparaffin
SolventDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Lactate
BufferingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialAlcohol
AntimicrobialAmodimethicone
PPG-2-Deceth-12
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Stearyl Alcohol, Isopentyldiol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Polysilicone-13, Steartrimonium Chloride, Lactic Acid, Squalane, Camellia Seed Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Royal Jelly Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Sodium Methyltaurate, PEG-2 Laurate, Salicylic Acid, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Laurtrimonium Chloride, C10-13 Isoparaffin, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Lactate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Alcohol, Amodimethicone, PPG-2-Deceth-12, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine Lactate
Behentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeBetaine
HumectantTrimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingDistearyldimonium Chloride
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingAnemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantDiaminopyrimidine Oxide
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAngelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBiota Orientalis Leaf Extract
HumectantPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCysteine
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialGlycine
BufferingCystine
MaskingTryptophan
MaskingSerine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantTyrosine
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine Lactate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Betaine, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Menthol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Diaminopyrimidine Oxide, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract, Biota Orientalis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Caffeine, Cyclodextrin, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cysteine, Chlorphenesin, Glycine, Cystine, Tryptophan, Serine, Proline, Glutamic Acid, Tyrosine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
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%.
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 GlycolCetearyl 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 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 more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
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 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 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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