What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberMyristyl Myristate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Silica
AbrasiveCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlcohol
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeUbiquinone
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingPanicum Miliaceum Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingChlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingTannic Acid
AstringentColeus Forskohlii Root Extract
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Titanium Dioxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Myristyl Myristate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Carbomer, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Caffeine, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ubiquinone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Linalool, Panicum Miliaceum Extract, Limonene, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Citronellol, Eugenol, Tannic Acid, Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialVp/Eicosene Copolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSucrose Stearate
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePoly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingRibes Nigrum Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearic Acid
CleansingThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningEugenol
PerfumingEthylparaben
PreservativeTriethanolamine
BufferingPalmitic Acid
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingOxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGeraniol
PerfumingMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Castanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingHexyldecanol
EmollientHexyldecyl Laurate
EmollientHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sucrose Stearate, Silica, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Eugenol, Ethylparaben, Triethanolamine, Palmitic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dimethiconol, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Geraniol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Methylparaben, Citronellol, Hexyldecanol, Hexyldecyl Laurate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
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.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEugenol is naturally found in cloves, basil, and bay leaves. It is an aromatic oil used to add fragrance to a product. The scent of eugenol is described as "clove-like". Eugenol is a known EU allergen, meaning it causes contact allergies.
Studies show eugenol possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Besides cosmetics, eugenol is also added as a flavor in teas and cakes.
Learn more about EugenolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLinalool 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 LinaloolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
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. 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