What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Propanediol
SolventFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantArginine
MaskingGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningBoswellia Serrata Gum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucosyl Ceramide
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCalcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSucrose
HumectantUrea
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentAlanine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingHexyl Nicotinate
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingWater, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Squalane, Snail Secretion Filtrate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hexylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether, Dipropylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Propanediol, Fructose, Glucose, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arginine, Gluconolactone, Boswellia Serrata Gum Extract, Glucosyl Ceramide, Phospholipids, Cholesterol, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantLauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSilica
AbrasiveDibutyl Adipate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialZinc PCA
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
MaskingSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXylitol
HumectantCaprylic Acid
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentBixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantRetinal
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantWater, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Betaine, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Propanediol, Silica, Dibutyl Adipate, Alcohol Denat., Zinc PCA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Parfum, Maltodextrin, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Retinal, Sodium Hydroxide, Phospholipids, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citral, Ascorbic Acid
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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 EDTAMaltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.
This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).
Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.
Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.
Learn more about MaltodextrinParfum 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 ParfumPhospholipids are a family of skin-identical lipids that makeup the structural backbone of every cell membrane in your body.
In cosmetics, they function as skin conditioning agents with emulsifier and surfactant properties. They're typically sourced from soybean or sunflower lecithin (or sometimes egg yolk or marine sources).
Because they mirror the lipids naturally found in the deeper layers of your skin, topical phospholipids help reinforce the lipid matrix, reduce transepidermal water loss, and leave skin feeling conditioned.
They're also used to form liposomes, or tiny self-assembling vesible used to stabilize actives like vitamin c or retinol. This helps these ingredients integrate into the upper layers of skin more easily.
Phospholipids are compatible with everything and the CIR Expert Panel has concluded them to be safe at current use levels.
Some types of phospholipids include:
Learn more about PhospholipidsPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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