What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingAmodimethicone
Cetyl Esters
EmollientParfum
MaskingPPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventLactic Acid
BufferingDimethiconol
EmollientArginine
MaskingMaleic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingTrideceth-10
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Linoleate
EmollientAcetic Acid
BufferingCapsicum Annuum Extract
MaskingGlyceryl Linolenate
EmollientMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopherol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Arachidonate
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingCI 40800
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Amodimethicone, Cetyl Esters, Parfum, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Lactic Acid, Dimethiconol, Arginine, Maleic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Trideceth-10, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Dextrin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Linoleate, Acetic Acid, Capsicum Annuum Extract, Glyceryl Linolenate, Malt Extract, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Biotin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Limonene, CI 40800
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Ferment
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPistacia Vera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantCysteine
AntioxidantMethionine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane, Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethiconol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauryl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Maltodextrin, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract, Chlorella Ferment, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pistacia Vera Seed Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Benzyl Glycol, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Histidine, Cysteine, Methionine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chlorphenesin, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethiconol 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.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinThis ingredient is also known as Macadamia Seed Oil. It's an emollient with a fatty acid profile that closely mirrors the skin's own lipid makeup.
The palmitoleic acid content is especially notable as it's somewhat rare in plant oils. Palmitoleic acid is something your skin already makes naturally. It helps keep cell membranes structured and plays a role in fighting off harmful microbes.
This palmitoleic content is also part of why macademia seed oil absorbs quickly and doesn't leave much of a greasy residue.
It also contains oleic acid, linoleic acid, and phytosterols that can help reduce redness.
In vitro research has shown the oil to have meaningful antioxidant activity, protect fats in the skin from oxidative damage, and slow down the enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid.
A 2024 clinical study found it effective at improving skin hydratino and reducing wrinkle appearance when formulated into nanoemulsions.
Because it carries oleic acid (C18) and palmitic acid (C16), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. This is because the Malassezia yeast metabolizes in the C11-24 chain length range.
You'll also see this ingredient listed as: Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil .
These two oils are identical in composition and 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 ParfumWater. 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