What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-14 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Leaf Extract
AstringentSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCarnitine
CleansingSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlcohol
AntimicrobialGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, PEG-14 Dimethicone, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Carnitine, Soy Isoflavones, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Menthol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trideceth-9, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Geraniol, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingMelaleuca Leucadendron Cajuputi Leaf Oil
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingJuniperus Communis Fruit Oil
MaskingPinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil
MaskingPiper Nigrum Seed Oil
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Water
MaskingWater, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Linalool, Parfum, Melaleuca Leucadendron Cajuputi Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Piper Nigrum Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis Water
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Limonene 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 LimoneneLinalool 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 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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