What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTriisostearin
Skin ConditioningLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientPhytosteryl Macadamiate
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientErythritol
HumectantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingXylitol
HumectantPEG-100 Stearate
Silica
AbrasivePotassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethylacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Palm Oil
EmollientElaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPPG-17
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingIsostearic Acid
CleansingBHT
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCitronellol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantGeraniol
PerfumingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantLamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantInositol
HumectantMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingPinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
MaskingLecithin
EmollientRetinyl Acetate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningHoney
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientUncaria Gambir Extract
AstringentOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Triisostearin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Betaine, Behenyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Myristyl Myristate, Erythritol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Xylitol, PEG-100 Stearate, Silica, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Microcrystalline Wax, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethylacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Tristearate, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil, Parfum, Polysorbate 60, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Alcohol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, PPG-17, Tocopheryl Acetate, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Citrate, Isostearic Acid, BHT, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Metaphosphate, Trisodium EDTA, Lauryl Betaine, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, CI 77492, Linalool, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citronellol, Tocopherol, Geraniol, CI 77491, Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Rubus Suavissimus Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Inositol, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Lecithin, Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Zea Mays Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Allantoin, Honey, Sodium Benzoate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasivePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCrithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate
Skin ProtectingBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-8
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingGlucosamine Hcl
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Algae Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glycerin, Silica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hyaluronate, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Yeast Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Caffeine, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-8, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 60, Glucosamine Hcl, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolCitronellol 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 CitronellolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGeraniol 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 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinLinalool 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 ParfumPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Silica, 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 Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 Water