What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Polyquaternium-10
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingPg-Hydroxyethylcellulose Cocodimonium Chloride
Tocopherol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingCarnosine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Acetate
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Cinnamate
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Polyquaternium-10, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Pg-Hydroxyethylcellulose Cocodimonium Chloride, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Carnosine, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Cinnamate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-11
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPEG-75 Lanolin
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-2 Cocoate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Leaf Extract
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract
AbrasiveCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientAchras Sapota Fruit/Seed Extract
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingWater, Polyquaternium-11, Decyl Glucoside, Cetrimonium Chloride, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-10, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, PEG-75 Lanolin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycereth-2 Cocoate, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Achras Sapota Fruit/Seed Extract, Panthenol, CI 19140, Blue 1 Lake, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 EthylhexylglycerinLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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