What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Camellia Japonica Flower Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Faex
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Propanediol
Solvent
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phytic Acid
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Camellia Japonica Flower Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Water, Citric Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Tartaric Acid, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Faex, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Propanediol, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Carbomer, T-Butyl Alcohol, Phytic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate
Prunus Avium Fruit
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTartaric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Wine Extract
Antioxidant
Bromelain
Skin Conditioning
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Parfum
Masking
Malic Acid
Buffering
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentPrunus Serotina Bark Extract
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Lycopene
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Prunus Avium Fruit, Glycerin, Water, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Tartaric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Wine Extract, Bromelain, Mandelic Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Parfum, Malic Acid, Punica Granatum Extract, Prunus Serotina Bark Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Lycopene, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, T-Butyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
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 AlcoholCitric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 ParfumPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
This ingredient is also known as Sepimax Zen.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Sodium 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 HydroxideT-Butyl Alcohol it is most commonly used as a solvent.
At room temperature, T-Butyl Alcohol melts and has a similar smell to camphor.
This ingredient is derived from isobutane. It is the simplest form of a tertiary alcohol. Due to its chemical structure, it is more resistant to oxidation.
Some sources online claim T-Butyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. However, it is not considered one due to its chemical structure.
Learn more about T-Butyl AlcoholTartaric acid is an AHA with exfoliating and antioxidant properties. It is found in many fruits, such as tamarind, grapes, bananas, and avocados.
AHAs provide chemical exfoliation, helping to improve skin tone and texture.
Tartaric acid is not as well studied as other AHAs, such as glycolic acid.
Learn more about Tartaric AcidWater. 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
