What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Tapioca Starch
Tromethamine
BufferingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Coffea Robusta Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHarungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
EDTA
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Alcohol, Tapioca Starch, Tromethamine, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Coffea Robusta Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, EDTA, CI 14700, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Dextran
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-100 Stearate
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hibiscus Sinensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Whey Protein
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Algae Extract
EmollientCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientSucrose
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingIsoceteth-20
EmulsifyingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCholesterol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantMyristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSteareth-21
CleansingIsohexadecane
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 50420
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Isopropyl Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sinensis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Whey Protein, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Algae Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Caffeine, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Trehalose, Sorbitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Sucrose, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Isoceteth-20, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sodium Polyaspartate, Myristyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Steareth-21, Isohexadecane, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Parfum, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 50420
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 GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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.
Potassium 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 PropanediolWater. 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
