What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Bentonite
Absorbent
Glycerin
Humectant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
Masking
Coffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCupressus Sempervirens Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
CI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCommiphora Myrrha Oil
Masking
Santalum Album Oil
Masking
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Petroselinum Crispum Seed Oil
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Algin
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77491, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Limonene, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Linalool, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Carbomer, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, CI 77499, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Santalum Album Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Papain, Petroselinum Crispum Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Algin, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Sodium Phytate
Linalool
Perfuming
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Alcohol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Mentha Piperita Oil, Citral, Cymbopogon Citratus Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Sodium Phytate, Linalool, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, 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.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholLimonene 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 LinaloolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
