What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingGlycine
BufferingHistidine
HumectantIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingThreonine
Valine
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-11
Undeceth-5
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantDicetyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientUndeceth-11
EmollientSilicone Quaternium-16
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantTrisodium Hedta
Butyloctanol
HumectantParfum
MaskingMagnesium Chloride
Disodium EDTA
Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
Isopropyl Alcohol
SolventIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeSodium Lactate
BufferingPCA
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingMagnesium Nitrate
Acetic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-11, Undeceth-5, Glycerin, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Undeceth-11, Silicone Quaternium-16, Citric Acid, Sodium PCA, Trisodium Hedta, Butyloctanol, Parfum, Magnesium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Isopropyl Alcohol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Magnesium Nitrate, Acetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialInulin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingPolyquaternium-37
Polyquaternium-11
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCocos Nucifera Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingLaureth-2
CleansingRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Niacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cetrimonium Chloride, Inulin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Polyquaternium-37, Polyquaternium-11, Saccharide Isomerate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Cocos Nucifera Seed Butter, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Laureth-2, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexyl Cinnamal
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%.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 GlycerinPanthenol 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.
We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-11 yet.
Sodium 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 Water