What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
CleansingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingTropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCharcoal Powder
AbrasiveMontmorillonite
AbsorbentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientApium Graveolens Seed Extract
AntioxidantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMenthol
MaskingMenthone Glycerin Acetal
RefreshingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Menthyl Lactate, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Charcoal Powder, Montmorillonite, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Apium Graveolens Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Menthol, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventGlycolic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantWater, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Propylene Glycol, Limonene, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbic Acid
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene 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 ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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!
Learn more about Water