What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentMalachite Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningUrea
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingTetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Malachite Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Trehalose, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Polyacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyquaternium-51, Urea, Carbomer, Sodium Carbomer, Parfum, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingBoswellia Carterii Resin Extract
MaskingStyrax Benzoin Resin Extract
MaskingSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentArctium Majus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Abyssinica Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningOrthosiphon Stamineus Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGeraniol
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, Glycerin, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Boswellia Carterii Resin Extract, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Commiphora Abyssinica Resin Extract, Orthosiphon Stamineus Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Geraniol, Amyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Citral, Eugenol, Benzyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance. It can be synthetically created or naturally occurring.
The scent of Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is described as "flowery" but can also be "woody".
Naturally occurring Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone may be found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the yeast used to make wine and bread.
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 Alpha-Isomethyl IononeButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 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 ParfumPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Water. 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