What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingAcrylates/Acrylamide Copolymer
MoisturisingParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingPolysorbate 85
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Benzyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Triethanolamine, Acrylates/Acrylamide Copolymer, Paraffinum Liquidum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Carbomer, Parfum, BHT, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Polysorbate 85, Phenoxyethanol, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 20, CI 42090, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-60 Almond Glycerides
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientUndecylenoyl Glycine
CleansingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentCitronellol
PerfumingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
AntioxidantOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantAspartic Acid
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Caprylyl Glycol, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Capryloyl Glycine, Benzyl Alcohol, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Limonene, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citronellol, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oleanolic Acid, Sodium Bisulfite, Aspartic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Biotin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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