What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Oleate Citrate
EmulsifyingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientC9-12 Alkane
SolventHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Glycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantResveratrol
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantSalicylic Acid
MaskingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningQuercus Suber Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingOak Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingCholesterol
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPropylene Glycol Caprylate
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingTetrasodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, C9-12 Alkane, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Resveratrol, Panthenol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Salicylic Acid, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Quercus Suber Bark Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Oak Root Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Cholesterol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Propylene Glycol Caprylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Sodium Lactate, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Sodium PCA, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Parfum, Tetrasodium EDTA, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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.
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