What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsobutane
Polyimide-1
Heptyl Glucoside
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Lamium Album Extract
AstringentSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingPinus Sylvestris Bud Extract
Perfuming
Nasturtium Officinale Extract
Perfuming
Arctium Majus Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientHedera Helix Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Tropaeolum Majus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phytic Acid
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Xylitol
Humectant
Caprylic Acid
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Castor/Olive Oil Esters
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-28
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Citronellal
Masking
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Water, 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
Water
Skin ConditioningVp/Va Copolymer
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Diheptyl Succinate
EmollientPolyquaternium-110
Zingiber Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningLaurtrimonium Chloride
Emulsifying
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Vp/Va Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Diheptyl Succinate, Polyquaternium-110, Zingiber Officinale Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bisulfite, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol
Alternatives
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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinParfum 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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
