What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Sodium Phytate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Algae Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Caffeine, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Faex Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Panthenol, Cellulose Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Parfum, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Babassu Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
Emulsifying
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Almond Oil PEG-8 Esters
Emollient
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGeraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Soluble Collagen, Butylene Glycol, Babassu Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Almond Oil PEG-8 Esters, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Geraniol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolLimonene 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 LinaloolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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
