What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingErythritol
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Erythritol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract, Laureth-7, Linalool, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingDimethiconol
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMethylparaben
PreservativePotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Parfum, Dimethiconol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Methylparaben, Potassium Hydroxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, CI 19140, CI 61570
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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.
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 20Water. 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