What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
No benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-37
C13-15 Alkane
SolventBis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Polyester-11
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyimide-1
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sarcosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
Pisum Sativum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-37, C13-15 Alkane, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Lecithin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Polyester-11, Sclerotium Gum, Chlorphenesin, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Triheptanoin, Panthenol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyimide-1, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Niacinamide, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sarcosine, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Citric Acid, Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer, Pisum Sativum Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl, Arginine, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Polyglycerin-3, CI 19140, CI 15985
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%.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
