What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Polyacrylamidomethylpropane Sulfonic Acid
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Polyquaternium-28
Parfum
Masking
Triethanolamine
BufferingDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Buteth-3
SolventSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCreatine
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Tributyl Citrate
SolventCitric Acid
Buffering
Tris(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 ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantEugenol
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Behentrimonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, CI 15985, Eugenol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
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 AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeParfum 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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.
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
