What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingStearic Acid
CleansingStearyl Stearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Menthol
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingJojoba Esters
EmollientMontmorillonite
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingIllite
AbrasiveHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77288
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77510
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Benzyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Stearate, Parfum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Menthol, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Jojoba Esters, Montmorillonite, Citric Acid, Illite, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Tocopherol, CI 77288, CI 77510
Theanine
EmollientKaolin
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningTilia Cordata Flower Water
MaskingGlyceryl Myristate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingTheanine, Kaolin, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Tilia Cordata Flower Water, Glyceryl Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, CI 77891, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Limonene
Reviews
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHexyl 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 CinnamalKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinLimonene 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 ParfumPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Sodium 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 HydroxideStearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about Tocopherol