What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientParfum
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSteareth-21
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMalic Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG-23m
Emulsion StabilisingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingOleic Acid
EmollientSqualane
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Citronellol
PerfumingHistidine
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCitric Acid
BufferingGeraniol
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientWater, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Stearyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Steareth-21, Panthenol, Malic Acid, Glyceryl Oleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-23m, Steareth-2, Sodium Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Oleic Acid, Squalane, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, Citronellol, Histidine, Silica, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Citric Acid, Geraniol, BHT, Lecithin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-55
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
AntimicrobialBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGalactoarabinan
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCoconut Alkanes
EmollientOlealkonium Chloride
Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-11
Coceth-7
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer
Bis-PCA Dimethicone
Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate
CleansingIsohexadecane
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polyquaternium-55, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Galactoarabinan, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Coconut Alkanes, Olealkonium Chloride, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-11, Coceth-7, Butylene Glycol, Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer, Bis-PCA Dimethicone, Disodium PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate, Isohexadecane, Aminomethyl Propanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Citronellol, Coumarin
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 most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
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 Benzyl 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 AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecaneIsopropyl Palmitate is a texture enhancer and emollient. It is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.
Palmitates are emollients. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier that traps moisture in.
When added to cosmetics, Isopropyl Palmitate creates a silky texture and improves spreadability.
Isopropyl Palmitate may not be fungal acne safe. It can worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl PalmitatePanthenol 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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