What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingC12-15 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyquaternium-7
Salicylic Acid
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantSilk Amino Acids
HumectantEthyl Hexanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantLeucine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingAspartic Acid
MaskingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycine
BufferingGlutamine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingCystine
MaskingAsparagine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantGlycerin, Water, Dimethicone, Myristyl Alcohol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Steartrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hexyl Cinnamal, C12-15 Pareth-3, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-7, Salicylic Acid, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Silk, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cysteine, Silk Amino Acids, Ethyl Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Leucine, Valine, Isoleucine, Taurine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Glutamine, Lysine, Methionine, Serine, Cystine, Asparagine, Alanine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Proline, Histidine
Water
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientParfum
MaskingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPlukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
AntioxidantLitchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Isopentyldiol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAcrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer
Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoceth-7
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBetaine
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic Acid
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Parfum, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Isopentyldiol, Propanediol, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Dipropylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Diisostearyl Malate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coceth-7, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Betaine, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Squalane, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Cyclodextrin, Citric Acid, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Phytic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Limonene, Coumarin, Geraniol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 OilButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexyl 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 CinnamalHydrolyzed Soy Protein is a vegan protein made to mimic hydrolyzed collagen. It is created from soy, or glycine soja.
This ingredient is a humectant, meaning it helps hydrate the skin by binding to water. According to a manufacturer, it is also a great hair conditioner.
Read more about hydrolyzed collagen here.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Soy ProteinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneParfum 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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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