What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingFructose
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
MaskingPolyporus Umbellatus Extract
Skin ProtectingPolyquaternium-70
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Propanediol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Glycerin, Pvp, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Fructose, Pentylene Glycol, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Polyporus Umbellatus Extract, Polyquaternium-70, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPvp
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientPerfluorononyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingVinyl Caprolactam/Vp/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCaprylic Acid
CleansingXylitol
HumectantHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantMoringa Oleifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCereus Grandiflorus Extract
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
HumectantPhalaenopsis Amabilis Flower Extract
BleachingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Propanediol, Pvp, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Dimethicone, Perfluorononyl Dimethicone, Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Vinyl Caprolactam/Vp/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylic Acid, Xylitol, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Cereus Grandiflorus Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Phalaenopsis Amabilis Flower Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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