What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glycerin
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSelaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAnise Alcohol
PerfumingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Benzoate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, Limonene, Anise Alcohol, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingStearic Acid
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 40
EmulsifyingNylon-12
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Linalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Isopropyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Sorbitan Stearate, Parfum, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 40, Nylon-12, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Limonene, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCoumarins 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 CoumarinEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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