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
Amodimethicone
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
Styrene
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPrunus Salicina Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCaffeic Acid
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingZinc Pyrithione
AntiseborrhoeicSalicylic Acid
MaskingPlumbago Zeylanica Flower/Root Extract
AntioxidantDioscorea Villosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingGold
Cosmetic ColorantPolyquaternium-7
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventSodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate
CleansingAlcohol Denat.
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
BufferingCarum Carvi Seed Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Styrene, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Biotin, Ceramide NP, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Adenosine, Caffeic Acid, Niacinamide, Zinc Pyrithione, Salicylic Acid, Plumbago Zeylanica Flower/Root Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Gold, Polyquaternium-7, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Propanediol, Sodium Lauroyl Methylaminopropionate, Alcohol Denat., 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, Carum Carvi 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.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.You may know this ingredient as argan oil. Argan Oil has antioxidant, hydrating, and soothing properties.
Studies have shown argan oil can help fight again radical damage from the sun. This makes it effective at preventing hyperpigmentation.
Large amounts of vitamin E found in argan oil helps the skin retain water. Argan oil also contains fatty acids such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. It is also a good source of lipids.
Another benefit of argan oil is skin-soothing. It can help reduce inflammation-related skin symptoms.
Argan Oil is effective at regulating sebum production in pores. This can make it effective at treating hormonal acne.
Traditionally, argan oil was used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, argan oil contains fatty acids that may make it not fungal-acne safe.
Argan Trees are native to Morocco.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
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 (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water