What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglycerin-6
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingAlcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Surfactin
CleansingTin Oxide
AbrasiveHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol, Glycerin, Squalane, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Polyglycerin-3, Lauroyl Lysine, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglycerin-6, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Surfactin, Tin Oxide, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silica
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsododecane
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialTribehenin
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycerin, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Propylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Tribehenin, Potassium Sorbate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, 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.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCi 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPotassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 HyaluronateSynthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteWater. 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