What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSea Water
HumectantBetaine
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sea Water, Betaine, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Linalool, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningLauramide DEA
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingTea-Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPotassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingBetaine
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingViola Tricolor Extract
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMethylisothiazolinone
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Lauramide DEA, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Tea-Lauryl Sulfate, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Dipropylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Betaine, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disodium EDTA, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Viola Tricolor Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Methylisothiazolinone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum
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
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric 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 AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAParfum 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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 Water