What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantAmodimethicone
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventSorbitol
HumectantStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientAcetic Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantSilk Amino Acids
HumectantEthyl Hexanediol
SolventGlycine
BufferingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlutamine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingSerine
MaskingCystine
MaskingAsparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCysteine
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Parfum, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Amodimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Trehalose, Steartrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citric Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-15, Trideceth-3, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Alcohol Denat., 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acetic Acid, Hydrolyzed Silk, Silk Amino Acids, Ethyl Hexanediol, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Lysine, Leucine, Methionine, Valine, Serine, Cystine, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Alanine, Arginine, Ornithine, Taurine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Proline, Histidine, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Cysteine, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingLauryl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingCocamide Methyl Mea
SurfactantStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCaffeic Acid
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingZinc Pyrithione
AntiseborrhoeicSalicylic Acid
MaskingFlower Extract
Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingGold
Cosmetic ColorantPolyquaternium-7
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPEG-45 Palm Kernel Glycerides
EmulsifyingC12-13 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialMenthol
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingCamellia Seed Oil
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientDisodium Phosphate
BufferingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Biotin, Ceramide NP, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Adenosine, Caffeic Acid, Niacinamide, Zinc Pyrithione, Salicylic Acid, Flower Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Gold, Polyquaternium-7, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Propanediol, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Alcohol, PEG-45 Palm Kernel Glycerides, C12-13 Alkyl Lactate, Polyquaternium-10, Cetrimonium Chloride, Menthol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Trihydroxystearin, Disodium EDTA, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zinc Chloride, Citric Acid, Camellia Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Disodium Phosphate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 80, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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