What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC9-12 Alkane
SolventUndecane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingDipsacus Sylvestris Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropanediol
SolventSilybum Marianum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEscin
TonicCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin ConditioningCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientKalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract
MaskingMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Benzoate
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentOrthosiphon Stamineus Extract
Skin ConditioningHedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeEngelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCallicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, C9-12 Alkane, Undecane, Glycerin, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Tridecane, Pentylene Glycol, Squalane, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Dipsacus Sylvestris Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tromethamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Escin, Carbomer, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Xanthan Gum, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil Unsaponifiables, Caramel, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Disodium EDTA, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Citric Acid, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Maltodextrin, Orthosiphon Stamineus Extract, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Mangifera Indica Leaf Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Engelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract, CI 14700, Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingErythritol
HumectantFructose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSaccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingTheanine
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantDisodium Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningInositol
HumectantPotentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Dipropylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Betaine, Glycerin, Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sodium Citrate, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Citric Acid, Erythritol, Fructose, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Potassium Hydroxide, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Theanine, Hydrolyzed Silk, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Inositol, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCitric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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