What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Bentonite
Absorbent
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantLinalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Musa Sapientum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, PEG-8, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Parfum, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Bentonite, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Propanediol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Musa Sapientum Flower Extract, Citral, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolLimonene 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 ParfumTocopherol 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 Tocopherol
