What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantBabassu Oil Polyglyceryl-4 Esters
SurfactantSorbitol
HumectantChondrus Crispus
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCarapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingPiper Nigrum Seed Extract
RefreshingSelaginella Lepidophylla Extract
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Undecylenate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingPinene
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Babassu Oil Polyglyceryl-4 Esters, Sorbitol, Chondrus Crispus, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Piper Nigrum Seed Extract, Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Pinene, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
Water
Skin ConditioningIsobutane
Polyimide-1
Heptyl Glucoside
SurfactantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
PerfumingSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingTilia Tomentosa Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingLamium Album Extract
AstringentSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingPinus Sylvestris Bud Extract
PerfumingNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingArctium Majus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingTropaeolum Majus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantPhytic Acid
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingXylitol
HumectantCaprylic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantCastor/Olive Oil Esters
EmollientRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolyquaternium-28
Propanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingCitronellal
MaskingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingWater, Isobutane, Polyimide-1, Heptyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Lamium Album Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Bud Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Flower Extract, Cyclodextrin, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Phytic Acid, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Glycerin, Castor/Olive Oil Esters, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-28, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Citronellal, Hydroxycitronellal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is also known as flaxseed extract. It has skin conditioning and perfuming properties.
Flaxseed naturally contains polysaccharides (sugars) and small amounts of fatty acid-related compounds to help hydrate the skin. The seed also contains antioxidants being studied for its effects on inflammation pathways.
A small clinical trial found topical flaxseed oil improved hand eczema over the course of 4 weeks. In an animal study, topical flaxseed cream supported wound-healing outcomes.
Overall, flaxseed is a great hydrating and barrier supporting ingredient. Like other plant extracts, some rare cases of allergic reactions can occur.
Though flaxseed has a perfuming function according to INCI, this doesn't mean the ingredient is added as a fragrance. It just means the material can contribute an odor or modify the scent of a formula.
Learn more about Linum Usitatissimum Seed ExtractParfum 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 SorbateThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSage leaf extract is a culinary and medicinal herb with antibacterial, antioxidant, and soothing properties.
This ingredient is made up of 75-90% ursolic acid, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.
Sodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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