What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Lauramide DEA
SurfactantStearic Acid
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Bark Extract
AntimicrobialInula Helenium Extract
MaskingBuddleja Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnolia Liliflora Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningBelamcanda Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPlantago Asiatica Extract
Skin ConditioningPlatycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract
Antioxidant
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Extract
AstringentGold
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauramide DEA, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Glycol Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Melia Azadirachta Bark Extract, Inula Helenium Extract, Buddleja Officinalis Leaf Extract, Magnolia Liliflora Bud Extract, Belamcanda Chinensis Root Extract, Plantago Asiatica Extract, Platycodon Grandiflorus Root Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Extract, Gold
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingSilica
Abrasive
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingLactose
HumectantCellulose
Absorbent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Menthol
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOctoxynol-12
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantRosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentRosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Lauryl Glucoside, Silica, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Coco-Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Lactose, Cellulose, Panthenol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Allantoin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Menthol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Octoxynol-12, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, CI 77891, Sodium Hyaluronate, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, CI 77491, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinDisodium 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 GlycerinParfum 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateWater. 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
