What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC13-15 Alkane
SolventPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
SolventHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingArginine
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBisabolol
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChondrus Crispus Powder
AbrasiveCitric Acid
BufferingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantGlyceryl Laurate
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate Citrate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientMaltose
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPectin
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningPyrus Cydonia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTapioca Starch
Tocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTrehalose
HumectantUrea
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Arginine, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Citric Acid, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fructose, Glucose, Glyceryl Laurate, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Lecithin, Maltose, Panthenol, Parfum, Pectin, PEG-8, Pentylene Glycol, Proline, Pyrus Cydonia Fruit Extract, Serine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tapioca Starch, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trehalose, Urea, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Silica
AbrasiveGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantDimethiconol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMethylparaben
PreservativeSorbitol
HumectantO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialBetaine
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Propylene Glycol
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingParfum
MaskingPropylparaben
PreservativeAlcohol
AntimicrobialPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPrunus Cerasus Extract
AntioxidantPyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialOpuntia Streptacantha Stem Extract
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingAmylopectin
Satureja Hortensis Extract
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Methylparaben, Sorbitol, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Butyl Avocadate, Arginine, Parfum, Propylparaben, Alcohol, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lecithin, Prunus Cerasus Extract, Pyrus Malus Juice, Chlorphenesin, Opuntia Streptacantha Stem Extract, Salicylic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Citric Acid, Amylopectin, Satureja Hortensis Extract, Dextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinParfum 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.
Water. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum