What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePalmitic Acid
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPapain
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Porphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingMentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
MaskingCuminum Cyminum Seed Oil
MaskingWater, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, C12-16 Alcohols, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Parfum, Papain, Chlorphenesin, Lactis Proteinum, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium EDTA, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Cuminum Cyminum Seed Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPerilla Ocymoides Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningEchium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Matthiola Longipetala Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Hydroxide
AbsorbentBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingMyristica Fragrans Kernel Oil
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningEugenol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin ConditioningCoriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Lactic Acid, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Parfum, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Matthiola Longipetala Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Magnesium Hydroxide, Benzyl Benzoate, Yeast Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Linalool, Limonene, T-Butyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Potassium Sorbate, Soy Amino Acids, Xanthan Gum, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Myristica Fragrans Kernel Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Eugenol, Coumarin, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to 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