What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHexyldecyl Laurate
EmollientCyclomethicone
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventAlanine
MaskingCreatine
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantGlycine
BufferingMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantUrea
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Hamamelis Virginiana Flower Water
AstringentCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
MaskingParfum
MaskingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingDisodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates
CleansingLecithin
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSqualene
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate
EmollientAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Hexyldecyl Laurate, Cyclomethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Propanediol, Alanine, Creatine, Glycerin, Glycine, Magnesium Aspartate, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Urea, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hamamelis Virginiana Flower Water, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Maris Sal, Panthenol, Menthyl Lactate, Parfum, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methylisothiazolinone, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Lecithin, Propylene Glycol, Squalene, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentStearyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantGlucose
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Stearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Allantoin, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Salicylate, Tocopherol, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glucose, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, CI 17200, CI 42090, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinAscorbyl Palmitate is created by combining pure Vitamin C and palmitic acid. It is an antioxidant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
This ingredient is a more stable version of Vitamin C, meaning it does not disintegrate as quickly when exposed to sunlight. However, studies show it does not penetrate skin as well as pure Vitamin C.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is oil soluble.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateBenzyl 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 AlcoholCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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