What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Maltose
MaskingZea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSilica
Abrasive
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Protease
Exfoliating
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningMaltose, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Limonene, Parfum, Citric Acid, Water, Butylene Glycol, Protease, Lactobacillus Ferment, 1,2-Hexanediol, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Tropolone
Mannitol
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Silica
Abrasive
Potassium Laurate
EmulsifyingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Kaolin
Abrasive
Dextrin
AbsorbentLimonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingProtease
Exfoliating
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Water
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Mannitol, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Silica, Potassium Laurate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Betaine, Allantoin, Kaolin, Dextrin, Limonene, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Metaphosphate, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Protease, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Citral, Water, Linalool, Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinLimonene 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 ParfumThese enzymes break down protein into smaller peptides and amino acids. They also encourage the formation of new protein.
Our skin uses peptides, amino acids, and protein for maintaining healthy skin cells.
Protease work by breaking peptide bonds in protein with hydrolysis. This is the process of breaking bonds using water.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found a blend of 3-protease decreases skin inflammation by mitigating the effects of other proteins.
One manufacturer that uses subtilisin, a protease from Bacillus subtilis, claims this ingredient is exfoliating, promotes cell regeneration, and is a good substitute for AHAs. Further research is needed to back up these claims.
Fun fact: The human body contains ~641 protease genes.
Learn more about ProteaseSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Cocoyl Glycinate is a cleansing agent. It can be naturally derived or synthetically-created.
As a surfactant, it helps clean your skin by gathering dirt, oil, and other pollutants to be rinsed away more easily.
Water. 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 WaterZea Mays Starch is starch made from corn. You might know this as cornstarch . It is used to thicken a product. It can replace talc as an absorbent.
The pH of cornstarch is 5.92.
Cornstarch is a common food ingredient used to thicken soups or to make corn syrup.
Learn more about Zea Mays Starch
