What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantOctocrylene
UV AbsorberDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberButylene Glycol
HumectantDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientSd Alcohol 40-B
AstringentButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberTrehalose
HumectantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningBeheneth-20
EmulsifyingPPG-17
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearyl Alcohol
EmollientTheanine
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Methylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Citrate
BufferingAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantGlycine
BufferingOnonis Spinosa Root Extract
AntiseborrhoeicRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentTocopherol
AntioxidantHibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Peel Extract
AntimicrobialFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicBenzoic Acid
MaskingRosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicIsodonis Japonicus Leaf/Stalk Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Diethylhexyl Succinate, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Benzophenone-3, Trehalose, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Beheneth-20, PPG-17, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Stearyl Alcohol, Theanine, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Methylparaben, Parfum, Mica, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, CI 77891, Sodium Citrate, Alcohol, Sodium Metaphosphate, Polyquaternium-51, Citric Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Limonene, BHT, Linalool, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, CI 77491, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Glycine, Ononis Spinosa Root Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Peel Extract, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Benzoic Acid, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Isodonis Japonicus Leaf/Stalk Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Algae Extract
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingLanolin Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasivePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingWater
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDecyl Oleate
EmollientAluminum Distearate
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingAlgae Extract, Paraffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Cera Microcristallina, Lanolin Alcohol, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Sulfate, Paraffin, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Water, Beta-Carotene, Decyl Oleate, Aluminum Distearate, Octyldodecanol, Citric Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Magnesium Stearate, Panthenol, Zea Mays Oil, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Benzoate is usually created from the condensation of benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol. It is used as a preservative, solvent, and has a floral/balsamic scent in large amounts.
As a preservative, Benzyl Benzoate works against bacteria and fungus. It is often used to treat scabies and lice in medicine.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Due to its fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate can be sensitizing and may cause contact dermatitis. It is a known EU allergen. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Benzyl Benzoate can be naturally found in cranberries and peaches.
Learn more about Benzyl BenzoateCitric 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 AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumWater. 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