What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Esters
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeQuaternium-98
EmollientDistearyldimonium Chloride
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Isopropyl Myristate
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningTrichilia Emetica Seed Butter
EmollientSchinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
EmollientAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Pg-Diethylmonium Chloride
Bis-PCA Dimethicone
PEG-12 Allyl Ether
Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantDisodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
CleansingArginine
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPropanediol
SolventPolyquaternium-10
Polyquaternium-67
Cetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialSodium Acetate
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTartaric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Esters, Behentrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-98, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Panthenol, Amodimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Trichilia Emetica Seed Butter, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Aspergillus Ferment, Xylitol, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitylglucoside, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Dimethicone Pg-Diethylmonium Chloride, Bis-PCA Dimethicone, PEG-12 Allyl Ether, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-67, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Acetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Myristyl Alcohol, Trideceth-12, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Tartaric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeBrassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Skin ConditioningCetyl Esters
EmollientJojoba Esters
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingCalodendrum Capense Nut Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Eriodictyon Californicum Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Seed Protein
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantAmylopectin
Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCaprylic Acid
CleansingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthyl Linoleate
EmollientEthyl Oleate
EmollientParfum
MaskingGalactoarabinan
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Isopropyl Myristate
EmollientQuaternium-91
Lactic Acid
BufferingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXylitol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Myristate
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Polyglycerin-3
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-37
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePropanediol
SolventQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phytate
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingTamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diheptyl Succinate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Esters, Jojoba Esters, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Calodendrum Capense Nut Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Lactobacillus/Eriodictyon Californicum Ferment Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Panthenol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Trehalose, Amylopectin, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Calcium Gluconate, Caprylic Acid, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethyl Linoleate, Ethyl Oleate, Parfum, Galactoarabinan, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Gluconolactone, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Isopropyl Myristate, Quaternium-91, Lactic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Linalool, Maltodextrin, Xylitol, Pentylene Glycol, Myristyl Myristate, Phospholipids, Phytic Acid, Polyglycerin-3, Chlorphenesin, Polyquaternium-37, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Quaternium-95, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCaprylyl 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 GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCetyl Esters is a synthetic wax made up of mostly fatty acids and fatty alcohols. It is strcturally similar to wax taken from whales.
As an emollient, it creates a thin barrier on the skin. This barrier prevents moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Cetyl EstersChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinIsopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.
It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.
The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.
Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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 WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about Xylitol