What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPhenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientPolyacrylamidomethylpropane Sulfonic Acid
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPolyquaternium-28
Parfum
MaskingTriethanolamine
BufferingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Buteth-3
SolventSodium Benzoate
MaskingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCreatine
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingAlcohol
AntimicrobialTributyl Citrate
SolventCitric Acid
BufferingTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disiloxane, Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polyacrylamidomethylpropane Sulfonic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Panthenol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Polyquaternium-28, Parfum, Triethanolamine, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dimethiconol, Lauryl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Buteth-3, Sodium Benzoate, Sclerotium Gum, Creatine, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Mica, CI 77891, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Alcohol, Tributyl Citrate, Citric Acid, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate, CI 60730, CI 60725, CI 19140, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPolyquaternium-7
Amodimethicone
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Silk
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantLavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialThymus Vulgaris Extract
PerfumingMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingBorago Officinalis Extract
EmollientSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingJasminum Officinale Extract
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFreesia Refracta Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Steartrimonium Chloride, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyquaternium-7, Amodimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Trideceth-12, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Silk, Butylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Parfum, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCyclopentasiloxane (D5) is a lightweight silicone that mostly acts as an emollient and solvent in cosmetics. Its the reason your products feel silky, fast-spreading, and non-greasy.
Since D5 is volatile, it does its thing and then evaporates off the skin quickly.
The safety profile of this ingredient is reassuring; the US CIR Expert Panel concluded D5 is safe as used in cosmetics and Health Canada concluded that D5 is not harmful to human health or the environment as currently used in cosmetics
There's a study that people mention about D5 in a rat study showing tumors. This study is related to long-term inhalation of high D5 levels.
Regulatory bodies have judged this study to be not applicable in topical skincare since skin absorption of D5 is very low and we're not really inhaling huge amounts of D5.
The only restriction for this ingredient is environmental. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) restricted D5 in wash-off cosmetics at or above 0.1% due to their persistence in water.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water