What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantSteareth-21
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSteareth-2
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingDisodium EDTA
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientChrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Steareth-21, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Steareth-2, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Disodium EDTA, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Geraniol, Linalool
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 9%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrullus Lanatus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Pulp Extract
EmollientBarosma Betulina Leaf Extract
PerfumingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 9%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Water, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Zea Mays Starch, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Extract, Adansonia Digitata Pulp Extract, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate, Gluconolactone, Sorbitan Oleate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 17200
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLinalool 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 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl 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