What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicNiacinamide
SmoothingDimethiconol
EmollientParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycol Distearate
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingTea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
ChelatingPEG-45m
HumectantPPG-9
Skin ConditioningAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Biotin, Niacinamide, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Glycol Distearate, Carbomer, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Tea-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Cocamide Mea, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, PEG-45m, PPG-9, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool, Mica, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeQuaternium-80
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingMethylparaben
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropylparaben
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSilk Amino Acids
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Behentrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-80, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Methylparaben, Panthenol, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Keratin Amino Acids, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Linalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPanthenol 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 ParfumWater. 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