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 ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMel
EmollientRoyal Jelly
Mannitol
HumectantCellulose
AbsorbentChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Triethyl Citrate
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTin Oxide
AbrasiveWater, Glycerin, Polyglycerin-3, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Pentylene Glycol, Mel, Royal Jelly, Mannitol, Cellulose, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Propanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Adenosine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Triethyl Citrate, CI 77891, Sodium Benzoate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Metabisulfite, CI 77492, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77491, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Tin Oxide
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 an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCitric 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 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 GlycerinMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinParfum 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 CitrateTocopheryl 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 Water