What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOctyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingXylose
HumectantDenatonium Benzoate
MaskingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Niacinamide, Betaine, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Parfum, Dipropylene Glycol, Limonene, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Xylose, Denatonium Benzoate, CI 14700, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCalcium PCA
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Arginine
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Dicaprylyl Ether, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Calcium PCA, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sodium Phytate, Arginine, Alcohol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Salicylic Acid, Mica, CI 77891, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 ParfumWater. 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