What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientPseudozyma Epicola/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil/Camellia Japonica Seed Oil/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil/Sunflower Seed Oil/Sweet Almond Oil Ferment Extract
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantNephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hemp Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeBehenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters
Propylene Glycol
HumectantQuaternium-80
Glycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sorbic Acid
PreservativeCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Pseudozyma Epicola/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil/Camellia Japonica Seed Oil/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil/Sunflower Seed Oil/Sweet Almond Oil Ferment Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Nephelium Lappaceum Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Persea Gratissima Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hemp Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipalmitoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Potassium Sorbate, Behenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters, Propylene Glycol, Quaternium-80, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Parfum, CI 17200, CI 19140, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzoic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sorbic Acid, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCoffea Canephora Seed Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLotus Maritimus Flower/Leaf Extract
AntioxidantCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantGarcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativeCitrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Coffea Canephora Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lotus Maritimus Flower/Leaf Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Sorbic Acid, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caramel, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol, Coumarin, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of 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.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract comes from the meat of the coconut fruit. It is an emollient and skin conditioner with antioxidant properties.
Coconut fruit is naturally rich in amino acids, sugars, and nutrients including Vitamin C and small amounts of vitamin B. Malic acid can also be found in coconut fruit extract.
Coumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinFicus Carica Fruit Extract comes from the fruit known as the fig. Figs are rich in antioxidants and helps hydrate the skin.
Figs also contain fatty acids and Vitamins A, B1, and B2.
As a humectant, figs are able to draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Learn more about Ficus Carica Fruit ExtractGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalParfum 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 ParfumPotassium 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 SorbateSorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.
Sorbic Acid is a natural antibiotic and highly effective at preventing the growth of fungus. It is less effective against bacteria.
Potassium Sorbate, another commonly-used preservative, is the potassium salt of Sorbic Acid.
Sorbic Acid may worsen eczema. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Learn more about Sorbic AcidWater. 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