What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPotassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingGlycerin
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDiglycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasivePEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBeheneth-20
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantBatyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantMaltitol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTheanine
EmollientPolyvinyl Alcohol
Trehalose
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingGlucosamine Hcl
Glycine
BufferingRubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialInositol
Humectant2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningIsostearic Acid
CleansingUncaria Gambir Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPyrola Incarnata Extract
Skin ConditioningPotentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLauryl Betaine
CleansingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Diglycerin, Silica, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Beheneth-20, Mica, Batyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Maltitol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77891, Theanine, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Disodium EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamal, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Tocopherol, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Glucosamine Hcl, Glycine, Rubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Inositol, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Isostearic Acid, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Pyrola Incarnata Extract, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
EmollientMel
EmollientDiglycerin
HumectantMel Extract
MoisturisingRoyal Jelly
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Magnesium Silicate
Dimethicone
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAlgin
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingHydrolyzed Soy Flour
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolyvinyl Alcohol
Biosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningYeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Mel, Diglycerin, Mel Extract, Royal Jelly, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lauroyl Lysine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Parfum, Glycolic Acid, Sorbitol, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Citric Acid, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Lactic Acid, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Algin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Adenosine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Caprylyl Glycol, Caramel, Cellulose Gum, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77492, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Yeast Ferment Extract, Silica, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
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.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidDiglycerin is a humectant. It is derived from glycerin, which is naturally found in your skin.
As a humectant, it helps draw moisture to the skin from the air.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin 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 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 ParfumWe don't have a description for Polyvinyl Alcohol yet.
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.
While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.
Rosemary Leaf Extract contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid. Rosemarinic acid, a compound found in rosemary leaf, has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 CitrateWater. 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 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