What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveCoco-Caprylate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAlpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPeumus Boldus Leaf Extract
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeHydroxycinnamic Acid
Skin ConditioningRutin
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingRhamnose
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingGlucose
HumectantGlucuronic Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil
MaskingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingDipteryx Odorata Seed Extract
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingJuniperus Mexicana Oil
MaskingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Coco-Caprylate, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Glycerin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Pentylene Glycol, Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hydroxycinnamic Acid, Rutin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Rhamnose, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citric Acid, Glucose, Glucuronic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Bud Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientSqualane
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantPeucedanum Japonicum Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantEschscholzia Californica Leaf Cell Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningCitrus Unshiu Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningZingiber Aromaticus Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingIsostearic Acid
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLauryl Betaine
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingBeheneth-20
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantBatyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIron Oxides
Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Squalane, Trehalose, Peucedanum Japonicum Leaf/Stem Extract, Eschscholzia Californica Leaf Cell Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Citrus Unshiu Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Zingiber Aromaticus Extract, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Potassium Hydroxide, Isostearic Acid, Carbomer, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lauryl Betaine, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Beheneth-20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Batyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metaphosphate, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Metabisulfite, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides
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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Citric 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 AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum