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 ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMethyl Benzoate
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Alcohol Denat., Ascorbyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Methyl Benzoate, CI 19140, CI 14700
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 14700, also known as Red No. 4, is a synthetic red dye derived from petroleum. It is water soluble.
CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Glycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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.
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