What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantVp/Va Copolymer
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
PEG-4 Dilaurate
EmulsifyingPEG-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativePEG-4
HumectantBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberPropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Vp/Va Copolymer, Pvp, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, PEG-4 Dilaurate, PEG-4 Laurate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, PEG-4, Benzophenone-3, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialVp/Va Copolymer
Propylene Glycol
HumectantLactamide Mea
HumectantPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol Meadowfoamate
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantMagnesium PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
HumectantManganese PCA
HumectantCereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAcacia Senegal Gum Extract
Glycerin
HumectantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningDicalcium Phosphate
AbrasiveThiamine Nitrate
Skin ConditioningCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Silicone Quaternium-3
Trideceth-12
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Vp/Va Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Lactamide Mea, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Glucosamine Hcl, Panthenol, Dimethiconol Meadowfoamate, Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, Zinc PCA, Manganese PCA, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum Extract, Glycerin, Cyanocobalamin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Thiamine Nitrate, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Silicone Quaternium-3, Trideceth-12, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citronellol 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 CitronellolGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
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 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-12 Dimethicone is a type of water-soluble silicone. It has skin conditioning and hydrating properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's stability is decreased by strong acid or alkali.
Phenoxyethanol 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 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolVP/VA Copolymer is a synthetic polymer made by joining two smaller molecules (vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate) into a larger chain.
It is mainly used as a film-former and fixing agent. When a product dries, it creates a thin and flexible layer on the skin, hair, or nails. This film helps hold hairstyles into place, adds a smooth feel to skin, and traps moisture to reduce dryness.
Irritation is rare at normal concentrations and it doesn't penetrate deeply into skin.
Learn more about Vp/Va CopolymerWater. 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