What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingGlycolic Acid
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
SolventPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantBakuchiol
AntimicrobialLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantIsohexadecane
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingPEG-75 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingCeteth-20
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSantalum Album Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSodium Phytate
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Bakuchiol, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Isohexadecane, Linoleic Acid, PEG-75 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 80, Steareth-20, Ceteth-20, Linolenic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Santalum Album Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Phytate, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, CI 60730, CI 14700, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl 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.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Limonene 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 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.
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. 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