What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventUndecane
EmollientAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Tridecane
Perfuming
Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Deschampsia Antarctica Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Caprylyl Methicone, Trisiloxane, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Pentylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Undecane, Acetyl Glucosamine, Tranexamic Acid, Lauryl Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Tridecane, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Deschampsia Antarctica Leaf Extract, Hexylresorcinol, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Ascorbic Acid, Phenylpropanol, Silica Silylate, Zea Mays Starch, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Silica, Dimethicone, Propyl Gallate, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hexyldecanol
Emollient
Hexyldecyl Laurate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract
Antioxidant
C20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Khaya Senegalensis Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCoumarin
Perfuming
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-47
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hexyldecanol, Hexyldecyl Laurate, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract, C20-22 Alcohols, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hyaluronic Acid, Adenosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Khaya Senegalensis Bark Extract, Maltodextrin, Linalool, Limonene, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Coumarin, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-47
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolParfum 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 ParfumPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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
