What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingLinseed Acid
CleansingPEG-8 Laurate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Octocrylene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Glycerin, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Linseed Acid, PEG-8 Laurate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Acrylates Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclohexane
SolventParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Squalane
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningParaffin
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium
Acryloyloxyethyl Phthalate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
P-Anisic Acid
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexane, Paraffinum Liquidum, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Squalane, Cetyl Alcohol, Cera Microcristallina, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Paraffin, Isohexadecane, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium, Acryloyloxyethyl Phthalate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl Glycol, P-Anisic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum 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-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Tocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
