What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingBrassica Napus Seed Oil
EmollientGlutamic Acid
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Niacinamide
SmoothingGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingButylene Glycol
HumectantGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCyclotetrasiloxane
EmollientLavandula Angustifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Parfum, Brassica Napus Seed Oil, Glutamic Acid, Dimethicone, Persea Gratissima Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Amodimethicone, Niacinamide, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Trideceth-12, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Alcohol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningLaureth-4
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
CleansingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPanthenyl Ethyl Ether
Disodium EDTA
Salicylic Acid
MaskingLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPrunus Persica Leaf Extract
EmollientJuglans Regia Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSericin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingKeratin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientGlycine
BufferingAcorus Calamus Root Extract
PerfumingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenyl Trimethicone, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Disodium EDTA, Salicylic Acid, Lactobacillus, Aminomethyl Propanol, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Prunus Persica Leaf Extract, Juglans Regia Shell Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Sericin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Keratin, Lecithin, Glycine, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Royal Jelly Extract, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Proline, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Ceramide NP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Coumarin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlutamic Acid is an amino acid that is found in all living organisms. Our bodies use this to help nerve cells in the brain communicate with other cells.
In cosmetics, glutamic acid is a famous humectant. It draws water from the air to your skin, keeping your skin hydrated (like hyaluronic acid).
An in-vitro study from 2024 found glutamic acid to play a role in inhibiting inflammation and thus a potential skin-soothing ingredient.
Other studies show it to be have potential wound healing, skin barrier repair, and hair growth properties.
Glutamic acid has poor solubility in water and other solvents.
Learn more about Glutamic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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