What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantCucurbita Pepo Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLentinus Edodes Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
AstringentC20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPolyester-11
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Glycerin, Squalane, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Polysorbate 60, Polyester-11, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingParfum
MaskingCoconut Alkanes
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientOlealkonium Chloride
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeVp/Va Copolymer
Xylitol
HumectantSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingEthyl Linoleate
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientEthyl Oleate
EmollientSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-37
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-11
Stearamine Oxide
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglyceryl-10 Esters
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Caprylic Acid
CleansingOleamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialLaurtrimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingSodium Bisulfite
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum, Coconut Alkanes, Cetyl Alcohol, Olealkonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Vp/Va Copolymer, Xylitol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Trehalose, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ethyl Linoleate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethyl Oleate, Sorbitan Oleate, Polyquaternium-37, Alcohol Denat., Polyquaternium-11, Stearamine Oxide, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglyceryl-10 Esters, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Phosphate, Polyquaternium-7, Caprylic Acid, Oleamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Sodium Bisulfite, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (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 LimoneneParfum 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPotassium 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 Benzoate