What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Polysilicone-11
PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cellulose
Absorbent
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract
MaskingArginine
Masking
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Tamarindus Indica Extract
SmoothingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Arbutus Unedo Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cellulose, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, CI 77891, Silica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Mica, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera Flower Cell Extract, Arginine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tamarindus Indica Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Arbutus Unedo Fruit Extract, Sorbic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
Humectant
Cellulose
Absorbent
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Kaolin
Abrasive
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Antioxidant
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Illite
Abrasive
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Polyquaternium-7
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingBHT
Antioxidant
Methylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Betaine, Cellulose, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Zinc Gluconate, Parfum, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Kaolin, Adenosine, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Illite, Sodium Metabisulfite, CI 77491, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyquaternium-7, Iris Florentina Root Extract, BHT, Methylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate, Tocopherol, CI 14700, CI 60730, CI 19140
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 AlcoholCellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
Learn more about CelluloseGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Parfum 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumSodium 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 CitrateSodium 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 HydroxideThis ingredient is used in makeup and skincare to thicken formulas, reduce shine, and give skin a silky-smooth feel.
Itâs a white silicone powder that sits in fine lines and pores to blur their appearance though its effectiveness depends on the particle size.
You'll typically find this ingredient in amounts between 0.1-20%.
Learn more about Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerWater. 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
