What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantQuaternium-80
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAlanine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingHistidine
HumectantSilk Amino Acids
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Quaternium-80, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Citric Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Alanine, Glycine, Histidine, Silk Amino Acids, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeDistearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Isopropyl Myristate
EmollientBehenamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingHydroxypropylgluconamide
HumectantHydroxypropylammonium Gluconate
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantParfum
MaskingAmodimethicone
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCeteareth-20
CleansingTrideceth-10
CleansingLinalool
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Distearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Isopropyl Myristate, Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydroxypropylgluconamide, Hydroxypropylammonium Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Parfum, Amodimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lactic Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Ceteareth-20, Trideceth-10, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance. It can be synthetically created or naturally occurring.
The scent of Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is described as "flowery" but can also be "woody".
Naturally occurring Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone may be found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the yeast used to make wine and bread.
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 Alpha-Isomethyl IononeThis 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%.
Isopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
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 Isopropyl AlcoholLimonene 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 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