What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triisopropanolamine
BufferingOleth-20
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Vp/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Triisopropanolamine, Oleth-20, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Pvp, Sorbitol, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 60730
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-11
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oleth-20
CleansingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Glyoxal
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Terpineol
Masking
Water, Polyquaternium-11, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleth-20, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Glyoxal, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Terpineol
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 AlcoholCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalOleth-20 comes from oleyl alcohol. It is an emulsifier that helps reduce surface tension of dirt and pollutants to be washed away.
The 20 stands for the average number of ethylene oxide units.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPEG-12 Dimethicone is a type of water-soluble silicone. It has skin conditioning and hydrating properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's stability is decreased by strong acid or alkali.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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
