What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTapioca Starch
Glycerin
Humectant
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tapioca Starch, Glycerin, Sorbitan Stearate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Sodium Polyacrylate, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Alcohol, Carbomer, Benzoic Acid, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Copaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCarapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Bisabolol
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingFusanus Spicatus Wood Oil
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Farnesol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Silica, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Jojoba Esters, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Glycine, Polysorbate 20, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Bisabolol, Benzoic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Cellulose Gum, Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Farnesol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Linalool, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterLimonene 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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
