What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantParfum
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingIsopentyldiol
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantGeraniol
PerfumingPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningAzurite
Skin ConditioningUbiquinone
AntioxidantSaccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Saccharomyces/Calcium Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantRetinol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Parfum, Polysorbate 60, Isopentyldiol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Steareth-2, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Aminomethyl Propanol, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxycitronellal, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Coumarin, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Tocopherol, Geraniol, Pantothenic Acid, Azurite, Ubiquinone, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Saccharomyces/Calcium Ferment, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Ascorbic Acid, Retinol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientParfum
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialBenzophenone-4
UV AbsorberPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingLimonene
PerfumingPolyacrylic Acid
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingChondrus Crispus
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGeraniol
PerfumingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingPEG-8
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCitral
PerfumingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Parfum, Dimethicone, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Squalane, Linalool, Cetearyl Glucoside, Chlorphenesin, Benzophenone-4, Polysorbate 60, Limonene, Polyacrylic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Benzyl Salicylate, Chondrus Crispus, Tetrasodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Geraniol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Citrate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, PEG-8, Tocopherol, Citral, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, CI 77491, CI 77891, Mica
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidBenzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCetearyl 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 AlcoholCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolCoumarins 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 CoumarinEthylhexyl Palmitate, also known as octyl palmitate, is created from 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It is a fatty acid ester.
The fatty acid content of Ethylhexyl Palmitate makes it an emollient. Emollients help soften and hydrate your skin by trapping moisture within.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is also used to help improve the texture of cosmetics. It helps other ingredient dissolve in products and help disperse ingredients more evenly.
You'll likely find this ingredient in sunscreen, as it is often used to mix UV-blocking ingredients such as avobenzone and ethylhexyl triazone.
It can also help stabilize the fragrances in a product as a fragrance fixative.
Ethylhexyl Palmitate can be used to substitute mineral oil.
Due to its high fatty acid content, it may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl PalmitateGeraniol 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 GeraniolGlycerin 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 GlycerinLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Steareth-2 is a waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients. It is created from polyethylene glycol and stearyl alcohol.
The 2 stands for the number of ethylene oxide units used to create this ingredient.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water