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The INKEY List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment Versus Aromatica Rosemary Scalp 3 In 1 Treatment

The INKEY List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment Versus Aromatica Rosemary Scalp 3 In 1 Treatment What's inside Key Ingredients Benefits Concerns No concerns Ingredients Side-by-side Water Betaine Caffeine Panthenol Phenoxyethanol Glycerin Xanthan Gum Ethyl

The INKEY List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment Versus Aromatica Rosemary Scalp 3 In 1 Treatment

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Betaine

Caffeine

Panthenol

Phenoxyethanol

Glycerin

Xanthan Gum

Ethylhexylglycerin

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Lactic Acid

Sodium Metabisulfite

Glycine

Larix Europaea Wood Extract

Camellia Sinensis Extract

Zinc Chloride

Water, Betaine, Caffeine, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Glycine, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Zinc Chloride

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract

Cetearyl Alcohol

Dipalmitoylethyl Dimonium Chloride

Isoamyl Laurate

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Cetyl Alcohol

Glyceryl Stearate

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract

Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Bifida Ferment Lysate

Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate

Salicylic Acid

Biotin

Arginine

Taurine

Niacinamide

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Hydrolyzed Corn Protein

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Sodium Hyaluronate

Hyaluronic Acid

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans

Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters

Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables

Isoamyl Cocoate

Polyquaternium-10

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Verbena Officinalis Extract

Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil

PCA

Abies Sibirica Oil

Cupressus Sempervirens Oil

Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract

Dipropylene Glycol

Limonene

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract

Amber Powder

Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Polyglycerin-3

Behentrimonium Methosulfate

Stearyl Alcohol

Butylene Glycol

Propanediol

Ceramide AP

1,2-Hexanediol

Benzyl Glycol

Raspberry Ketone

Sodium Acetate

Sodium Chloride

Isopropyl Alcohol

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dipalmitoylethyl Dimonium Chloride, Isoamyl Laurate, Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Betaine, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Biotin, Arginine, Taurine, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Isoamyl Cocoate, Polyquaternium-10, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Verbena Officinalis Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, PCA, Abies Sibirica Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Limonene, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.

Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.

Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.

Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.

Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.

Caffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.

As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.

Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.

You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.

Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.

Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.

Ethylhexylglycerin 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.

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Panthenol 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.

Water. 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!

Similar Comparisons

The reference edit

Ingredients, questions
& further reading.

Connected source records selected through this article’s public topic index.

01

Formula cabinet

Ingredients & structured notes

Ingredient index

Ingredients Explained

  1. 01These ingredients are found in both products.
  2. 02Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
  3. 03Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
  4. 04Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
  5. 05Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
  6. 06Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
  7. 07This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
  8. 08Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
  9. 09Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
  10. 10Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
  11. 11It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
  12. 12On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
  13. 13Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
  14. 14You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
  15. 15Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
  16. 16Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
  17. 17Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
  18. 18Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
  19. 19It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
  20. 20The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Source · skinsort.com
02

Product index

Related product references

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03

Comparison edit

Read side by side