What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingBetaine
HumectantBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePolyacrylamide
Parfum
MaskingAnise Alcohol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Phytosterols, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Betaine, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Polyacrylamide, Parfum, Anise Alcohol, Coumarin, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBetaine
HumectantHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPolyquaternium-37
Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Bisstearamide Mea
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Bislauramide Mea
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicBrassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Lactic Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolyacrylamide
Coumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyquaternium-37, Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Phytosterols, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Copper Tripeptide-1, Phytosphingosine, Hydroxypropyl Bisstearamide Mea, Hydroxypropyl Bislauramide Mea, Biotin, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Potassium Olivate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Stearic Acid, Parfum, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Polyquaternium-7, Lactic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Polyacrylamide, Coumarin, Limonene
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s known for being gentle and for helping the skin maintain balanced hydration.
Betaine is mainly used to improve hydration and support calmer skin. It helps skin cells regulate water balance because it functions as an osmolyte.
Some studies suggest betaine may support making skin tone more even.
Fun fact: Betaine naturally exists in the skin and the body. In cosmetic products, it can be either plant-derived (most commonly from sugar beets) or synthetically produced for consistency and stability.
Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineCaprylyl 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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinLimonene 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 ParfumThis ingredient is also known as Indian Gooseberry or Amla Berry. It is skin hydrating and antioxidant rich.
Indian gooseberry is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols, tannins, and vitamin C compounds.
Phytosterols are plant-derived sterols (you can think of them as the plant world's version of cholesterol). In cosmetics, this ingredient is usually sourced from soybean, rice bran, shea, sunflower, and other seed oils.
The main actors in this group are β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol (the CIR covers 27 phytosterols).
They work by fitting perfectly into your stratum corneum's lipid matrix since they're structurally similar to cholesterol. Here, they reinforce your skin's barrier.
One small in vivo human study showed topical soybean phytosterols sped up barrier recovery within three days on tape-stripped skin.
Broader research credits them with:
Formulation use typically sit under 5%.
Testing in soy-allergic subjects found no sensitization signals, but be sure to patch test if you are unsure or have existing allergies.
Learn more about PhytosterolsPolyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.
We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about PolyacrylamideSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract can be good for oily skin.
Water. 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