What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyester-5
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylpropanediol
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Parfum
MaskingHydroxypropyl Starch
Glyceryl Caprylate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantZinc PCA
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPolyacrylate-21
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicArtemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientAcrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicGentiana Scabra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Polyglutamate
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientC11-15 Pareth-40
CleansingC11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Laureth-12 Sulfate
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeNitrogen
Water, Polyester-5, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylpropanediol, Vp/Va Copolymer, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Parfum, Hydroxypropyl Starch, Glyceryl Caprylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Troxerutin, Allantoin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Zinc PCA, Caffeine, Cyclodextrin, Glyceryl Glucoside, Polyacrylate-21, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Octyldodecanol, Acrylates/Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Ceramide NP, Medicago Sativa Extract, Gentiana Scabra Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Polyglutamate, Cholesterol, C11-15 Pareth-40, C11-15 Pareth-7, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Potassium Sorbate, Nitrogen
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventAmp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantHectorite
AbsorbentRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantParfum
MaskingPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSqualane
EmollientSodium Salicylate
PreservativeCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingWater, Propanediol, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hectorite, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trehalose, Parfum, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Alpha-Arbutin, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Sodium Salicylate, Centella Asiatica Extract
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-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may also be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.
This ingredient an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin cells against damage.
Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.
Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Learn more about Alpha-ArbutinButylene 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 GlycolCaprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent that helps cosmetics stay fresh, stable, and consistent over time.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product. It also helps prevent the growth of unwanted microbes in products that contain water.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractHyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (basically a long sugar chain) that your skin already makes on its own. In your skin, HA lives in the extracellular matrix and acts as the body's moisture reservoir.
Topically, HA is a humectant that binds water and helps skin look more plump, smooth, and hydrated.
The only catch is that HA isn't a single thing; it actually comes in a wide range of molecular weights (~50 - 2,000+ kDA) and size matters.
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
This is why the best HA serums blend the two sizes together so you get the best of both worlds.
The majority of cosmetic HA is produced by bacterial fermentation, typically using Streptococcus or Bacillus strains. Typical use levels in skincare sit around 0.1-2%.
A clinical study using a 0.2% low-molecular weight HA gel showed improvement in facial seborrheic dermatitis with excellent tolerance.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
Though naturally occuring in Norwegian spruce needles, this ingredient is usually synthetically created.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing. Recent research also suggests it may have skin-brightening effects through tyrosinase inhibition.
Learn more about HydroxyacetophenoneParfum 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 an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilWater. 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