What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantRice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Tristearate
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientBentonite
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Linalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-10 Tristearate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Bentonite, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientNylon-12
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCyathea Cumingii Leaf Extract
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientVirola Surinamensis Seed Butter
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantAcacia Decurrens Flower Extract
MaskingRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentCinnamic Acid
PerfumingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientLevulinic Acid
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSorbic Acid
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Pullulan, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Nylon-12, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Parfum, Cyathea Cumingii Leaf Extract, Arachidyl Alcohol, Virola Surinamensis Seed Butter, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Cinnamic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Levulinic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Sorbic Acid, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 LinaloolMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil is the fixed oil obtained from Macadamia nut native to Australia. Due to its similarity with our skin's natural oils, macadamia oil absorbs easily without feeling greasy.
Macadamia seed oil is rich in fatty acids, including oleic acid (45-75%), palmitoleic acid (7-33%), and palmitic acid (6-12%). They also contain various B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.
Palmitoleic acid helps calm inflammation and supports wound healing while oleic acid helps hydrate the skin.
Due to the high amounts of palmitic and oleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. These are fatty acids that Malassezia yeast can feed on (C11-C24 chain length). If you're prone to fungal acne, this one's probably not for you.
You'll also see this ingredient listed as: Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil . This is the same ingredient; M. ternifolia is an older INCI naming convention for the edible macadamia nut, while M. integrifolia is the species actually cultivated for oil production. Both names refer to the same oil.
Learn more about Macadamia Ternifolia Seed OilParfum 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum