What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientOctocrylene
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, CI 77891, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Octocrylene, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carbomer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC9-12 Alkane
SolventOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
Abrasive1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingKappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientMaris Aqua
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventTin Oxide
AbrasiveSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearate
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhormidium Persicinum Extract
AntioxidantCeteareth-20
CleansingCalcium Chloride
AstringentSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77007
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, C9-12 Alkane, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Jojoba Esters, Behenyl Alcohol, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Extract, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Maris Aqua, Polyglycerin-3, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Tin Oxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sodium Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phormidium Persicinum Extract, Ceteareth-20, Calcium Chloride, Saccharide Isomerate, Tocopherol, CI 77007, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, Mica
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholCaprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491CI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77492Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Glycerin (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 ParfumPotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphatePotassium 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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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