What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientInositol
HumectantHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCanola Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDimethiconol
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeBenzoic Acid
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Inositol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Canola Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethiconol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSucrose Stearate
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearic Acid
CleansingThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningEugenol
PerfumingEthylparaben
PreservativeTriethanolamine
BufferingPalmitic Acid
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingOxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGeraniol
PerfumingMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Castanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingHexyldecanol
EmollientHexyldecyl Laurate
EmollientHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sucrose Stearate, Silica, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Eugenol, Ethylparaben, Triethanolamine, Palmitic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dimethiconol, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Geraniol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Methylparaben, Citronellol, Hexyldecanol, Hexyldecyl Laurate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAscorbyl Glucoside is a stable form of Vitamin C. It is created by combining glucose from starch.
When applied to skin, Ascorbyl Glucoside turns into Ascorbic Acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage skin cells.
It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Ascorbyl GlucosideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
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 GlycerinParfum 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.
Sodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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