What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBisabolol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhormium Tenax Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Iron Oxides
CI 77742
Cosmetic ColorantCitronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sclerotium Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Mannitol, Maltodextrin, Sodium Citrate, Cyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract, Phormium Tenax Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 77742, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Leptospermum Scoparium Mel
Honey
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyathea Cumingii Leaf Extract
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Glutathione
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Galactoarabinan
Carrageenan
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Emollient
Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Phytate
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTapioca Starch
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBee Venom
Astringent
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Cinnamate
Perfuming
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Farnesol
Perfuming
Isoeugenol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Leptospermum Scoparium Mel, Honey, Glycerin, Cyathea Cumingii Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Arbutin, Citric Acid, Sodium Sulfite, Acetyl Tyrosine, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glutathione, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Isoamyl Laurate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Galactoarabinan, Carrageenan, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phytate, Alcohol, Bisabolol, Sodium Citrate, Tapioca Starch, Hyaluronic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Actinidia Deliciosa Fruit Extract, Bee Venom, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Cinnamate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Coumarin, Limonene, Farnesol, Isoeugenol, Linalool
Alternatives
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 AlcoholBisabolol is a gentle skin conditioner, antioxidant, and soothing ingredient.
It's primary claim to fame is soothing and research shows topically applied bisabolol can quiet the chemical messengers that cause your skin to become inflamed, helping to sooth any irritation.
A clinical study found that applying 0.5% bisabolol daily for 8 weeks produced an average 9% decrease in skin pigmentation. Researchers found it can also suppress the process that leads to excess melanin production in skin.
In vitro studies found that bisabolol combined with propylene glycol significantly increased skin permeability by increasing lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum.
You'll likely see use concentrations quite low, usually 0.1-0.2%.
Overall, this is a well-tolerated ingredient that works well in formulas designed for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Learn more about BisabololCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Sorbitan Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may feed that yeast, so it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
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.
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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateWater. 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
