What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningSteartrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialPEG-Crosspolymer
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Vinegar
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Paeonia Suffruticosa Branch/Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingAzadirachta Indica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolylysine
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin Protecting
PCA
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Valine
MaskingBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentLimonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Benzyl PCA
HumectantButylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Myristyl Alcohol, Water, Steartrimonium Chloride, Alcohol, Parfum, Triethylhexanoin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Maltodextrin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Inulin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, PEG-Crosspolymer, Biotin, Caffeine, Pentylene Glycol, Yeast Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Vinegar, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Paeonia Suffruticosa Branch/Flower/Leaf Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract, Arginine, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Aspartic Acid, Dextrin, Polylysine, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, PCA, Beta-Glucan, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Serine, Valine, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl PCA
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Glucosamine Hcl
Andrographis Paniculata Extract
AstringentCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Menthol
Masking
Menthyl Lactate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Salicylic Acid, Glucosamine Hcl, Andrographis Paniculata Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Zinc PCA, Menthol, Menthyl Lactate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
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.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolLimonene 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 ParfumPotassium 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 SorbateSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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
