What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Carrot Protein/Hydrolyzed Kale Protein/Hydrolyzed Lemon Protein Extract
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Tamarindus Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Chloride
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingUndecylenoyl Glycine
CleansingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Citric Acid
Buffering
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Carrot Protein/Hydrolyzed Kale Protein/Hydrolyzed Lemon Protein Extract, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tamarindus Indica Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Capryloyl Glycine, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyitaconate
Polyimide-1
Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer
Vp/Va Copolymer
Polyalkylaminoester-1
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyporus Umbellatus Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
Humectant
Fructose
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
Emollient
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Polysorbate 20, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Pvp, Sodium Polyitaconate, Polyimide-1, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Vp/Va Copolymer, Polyalkylaminoester-1, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyporus Umbellatus Extract, Glycerin, Fructose, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Oleth-10, Phospholipids, Parfum, Sodium Citrate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Citral, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralEthylhexylglycerin 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 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
