What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingKigelia Africana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Laurate
EmulsifyingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeWater, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Sorbitan Laurate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Limonene, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Laurate, Dehydroacetic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientHibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Emulsifying3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid
Calcium Hydroxymethionine
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
T-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Gluconolactone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitan Laurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, 3-Aminopropane Sulfonic Acid, Calcium Hydroxymethionine, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tetrasodium EDTA, T-Butyl Alcohol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Ceramide NP, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide EOP
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester is a peptide composed of amino acids arginine and tyrosine.
This peptide is considered a neurotransmitter peptide, meaning it has pain-relieving and relaxing properties. It has the ability to calm skin irritation from external factors such as chemical stinging or heat.
Neurotransmitter peptides are also often called "botox in a bottle". This is because these peptides have the ability to relax the muscles.
Though relaxing the muscles can prevent expression lines (as we have seen in botox), the studies do not show these peptides to be a botox replacement. The effects of this muscle relaxation is also short-term, as opposed to longer-term results from botox.
Learn more about Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl EsterButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseParfum 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.
Sorbitan Laurate is created from lauric acid and derivatives from sorbitol. It is an emulsifier.
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