What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
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Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingOleyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientQuaternium-91
Distearyldimonium Chloride
Lauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientSqualane
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Citric Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyl Bis-Hydroxyethyldimonium Chloride
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Polyquaternium-55
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
CleansingHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativePotassium Benzoate
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Oleyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Quaternium-91, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Lauryl Laurate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Squalane, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Bis-Hydroxyethyldimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-55, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ceteareth-20, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Potassium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, CI 17200, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCetyl Esters
EmollientAmodimethicone
Glycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingDisodium EDTA
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientPolysilicone-15
UV FilterQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberCitric Acid
BufferingAcetic Acid
BufferingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingPassiflora Incarnata Extract
AstringentRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
AstringentCystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSantalum Album Extract
CleansingAmber Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVegetable Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract
PerfumingOryza Sativa Seed Protein
AntioxidantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Oryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCitrulline
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicLitchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetyl Esters, Amodimethicone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Polysorbate 60, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-15, Trideceth-3, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT, Trideceth-12, Jojoba Esters, Polysilicone-15, Quaternium-95, Citric Acid, Acetic Acid, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caffeine, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Bromelain, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Niacinamide, Santalum Album Extract, Amber Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Vegetable Amino Acids, Cupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phytic Acid, Oryza Sativa Extract, Citrulline, Gluconolactone, Biotin, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium Phosphate, Calcium Gluconate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal
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 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 AcidDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 BenzoateWe don't have a description for Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine yet.
Water. 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