What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentTriethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningArachis Hypogaea Oil
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTriceteareth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingGlycol Stearate
EmollientPEG-2 Stearate
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingIsohexadecane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trisiloxane, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Mica, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Cetyl Alcohol, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Glycol Stearate, PEG-2 Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, Carbomer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Oleate, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 17200, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol (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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water