What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAminopropyl Dimethicone
Steartrimonium Chloride
PreservativePolysilicone-13
Squalane
EmollientAspartic Acid
MaskingCamellia Seed Oil
Polyquaternium-11
Lactic Acid
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
SurfactantTaurine
BufferingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPEG-2 Laurate
EmulsifyingAmodimethicone
Sodium Methyltaurate
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingPPG-2-Deceth-12
EmulsifyingLaurtrimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingC13-16 Isoparaffin
SolventDisodium EDTA
ChelatingC10-13 Isoparaffin
SolventCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberWater, Isopentyldiol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Steartrimonium Chloride, Polysilicone-13, Squalane, Aspartic Acid, Camellia Seed Oil, Polyquaternium-11, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Taurine, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG-2 Laurate, Amodimethicone, Sodium Methyltaurate, Salicylic Acid, PPG-2-Deceth-12, Laurtrimonium Chloride, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Disodium EDTA, C10-13 Isoparaffin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingCitric Acid
BufferingHistidine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPanthenyl Ethyl Ether
Propylene Glycol
HumectantMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingMenthol
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingNymphaea Odorata Root Extract
RefreshingMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeWater, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Histidine, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Propylene Glycol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Menthol, Niacinamide, Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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 a small, fast-evaporating alcohol.
Formulators use it as a solvent, a way to think out thick liquids, an antifoaming agent, and occasionally a fragrance ingredient.
Reported use concentrations run from 0.002%-100% and any number over 50% usually comes from a nail product.
Actual skincare numbers run much lower: cleansers (0.3-26%), toners (0.07-7%), face moisturizers (0.04-0.2%).
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed it and concluded it is safe in the present practices of use and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as a non-carcinogenic to humans.
True allergy to this ingredient is uncommon but real: 44 out of 1,450 patients patch tested between 1992-2011 reacted with most cases clustering in people with leg ulcers, occupational hand eczema, or repeated use of Isopropyl Alcohol on already-broken skin.
Irritation and dryness are far more likely than allergy; before you throw away your skincare, just know this is dose-dependent and the risk is modest.
The irritant potential of the alcohols used in hand antiseptics is very low and skin irritation is significantly lower after alcohol application than after detergents (though isopropanol is somewhat more irritating than ethanol).
A 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests so the industry keeps this ingredient at low percentages in eye-area products.
One genuine caution: a 70% solution was a severe eye irritant in rabbit eye tests, so it belongs at low percentages in eye-area products, which is where the industry already keeps it.
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.
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 ParfumStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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