What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
AntimicrobialCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantEthyl Linoleate
EmollientEthyl Oleate
EmollientNymphaea Alba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningCaprylic Acid
CleansingXylitol
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-91
Polyquaternium-37
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingSodium Lignosulfonate
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Ethyl Linoleate, Ethyl Oleate, Nymphaea Alba Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylic Acid, Xylitol, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Cocamide Mipa, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Quaternium-91, Polyquaternium-37, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Sodium Lignosulfonate, Ceresin, Maltodextrin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingSodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
CleansingGlyceryl Distearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Amodimethicone
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Behenamidopropyl Dimonium Chloride
Ozokerite
Emulsion StabilisingGlycereth-26
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Chloride
MaskingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingHippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorhexidine Dihydrochloride
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Glyceryl Distearate, Parfum, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Carbomer, Decyl Glucoside, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyquaternium-10, Amodimethicone, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Hydroxyethyl Behenamidopropyl Dimonium Chloride, Ozokerite, Glycereth-26, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Chloride, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, C11-15 Pareth-7, Glycerin, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, Citric Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzophenone-4, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceBenzyl 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Hydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Limonene 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 LimonenePanthenol 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.
Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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