What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
EmulsifyingOlive Oil PEG-7 Esters
EmollientPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPEG-60 Almond Glycerides
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Coumarin, Hydroxycitronellal, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingTrehalose
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-20
HumectantParfum
MaskingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantOryza Sativa Germ Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientMortierella Oil
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPEG-30 Soy Sterol
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium EDTA
Theanine
EmollientHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Dipalmitate
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-10, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-20, Parfum, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyquaternium-51, Citric Acid, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Mortierella Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-30 Soy Sterol, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Trisodium EDTA, Theanine, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Ascorbyl Dipalmitate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance. It can be synthetically created or naturally occurring.
The scent of Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is described as "flowery" but can also be "woody".
Naturally occurring Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone may be found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the yeast used to make wine and bread.
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 Alpha-Isomethyl IononeBenzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTALimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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.
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil is a non-fragrant plant oil that has earned its skincare reputation through chemistry.
It's dominated by fatty acids like linoleic acid (~35-55%), alpha-linolenic acid (~17-27%), and oleic acid (~14-22%). This is the exact profile that supports skin barrier, locks in hydration, and calms inflammation.
A 2024 review found evidence for the Rosa canina species supports its use for scarring, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and atopic dermatitis; this was mostly credited to its vitamin C content and fatty acid composition as the primary active mechanisms.
You might see this ingredient marketed as a "natural retinol". Some rosehip seed oils contains traces of all-trans-retinoic acid but these trace amounts are far below biologically active levels.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has deemed this ingredient safe and it's well-tolerated.
Fungal acne: The fatty acids of this oil fall into the C11-24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Rosa Canina Fruit OilTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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