What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Nardus Oil
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Hedera Helix Extract
AntimicrobialMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningParietaria Officinalis Extract
EmollientSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-4
Aspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ricinoleth-40
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, 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 ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientOlus Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientOleyl Erucate
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
PEG-100 Stearate
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrogenated Olive Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
PEG-8
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
MaskingAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Glucose
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Chondrus Crispus
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Olus Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Oleyl Erucate, Cetyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Propanediol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Lecithin, Tocopherol, PEG-8, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Palmitate, Algae Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Glucose, Ascorbic Acid, Chondrus Crispus, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Parfum
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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitral 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 CitralCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLimonene 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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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
