What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingAcacia Farnesiana Flower Wax
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Steareth-21
CleansingDimethicone
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Disodium EDTA
Escin
TonicParfum
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Harungana Madagascariensis Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Dextran
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Betaine, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Glucoside, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Acacia Farnesiana Flower Wax, Caffeine, Steareth-21, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 77891, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disodium EDTA, Escin, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tin Oxide, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Dextran
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDiglycerin
Humectant
C13-16 Isoparaffin
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Arginine
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-12
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Diglycerin, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Silica, Sodium PCA, Parfum, Arginine, Chlorphenesin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyglycerin-3, Sodium Carbomer, PEG-12, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
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 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 AlcoholChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 ParfumSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
