What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientChrysanthemum Boreale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientThuja Orientalis Leaf Extract
AntioxidantArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningGleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLauryl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningAcorus Calamus Rhizome Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-10
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOxidized Keratin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Chrysanthemum Boreale Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Glutamic Acid, Myristyl Alcohol, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Gleditsia Japonica Fruit Extract, Lauryl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Lactobacillus, Acorus Calamus Rhizome Water, PEG-10, Glycerin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Keratin, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oxidized Keratin, Ceramide NP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol
Sucrose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveWater
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Extract
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Armeniaca Seed Powder
AbrasiveCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingRubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentPhyllanthus Emblica Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Vesca Leaf Extract
AstringentFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMorus Alba Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGinkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSucrose, Glycerin, C12-14 Alketh-12, Silica, Water, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dipropylene Glycol, Prunus Armeniaca Seed Powder, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Persea Gratissima Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Extract, Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene 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