What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
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Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentWater
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantLithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePPG-3 Caprylyl Ether
SolventCalcium Chloride
AstringentPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAlgin
MaskingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingRhus Semialata Gall Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMentha Viridis Extract
MaskingOriganum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingSaponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water, Water, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Silica, Glycerin, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-3 Caprylyl Ether, Calcium Chloride, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Citric Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Algin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Butyl Avocadate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Mentha Viridis Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingSwertia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningHordeum Distichon Extract
Skin ProtectingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicFumaria Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Swertia Japonica Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Fumaria Officinalis Extract, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Citrate, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPeg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.
As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.
Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.
Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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