What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientArginine
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCymbopogon Nardus Oil
MaskingGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingHedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningParietaria Officinalis Extract
EmollientSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenylalanine
MaskingHistidine
HumectantValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Sodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-4
Aspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningRicinoleth-40
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Linalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Arginine, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Hedera Helix Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Parietaria Officinalis Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Phenylalanine, Histidine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-4, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Ricinoleth-40, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Geraniol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water
MaskingParfum
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCommiphora Myrrha Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningStyrax Tonkinensis Resin Extract
PerfumingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantFarnesol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialWater, Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water, Parfum, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Glycerin, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Styrax Tonkinensis Resin Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citral, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Farnesol, Benzyl Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term '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.
Learn more about CitralGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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