What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Adenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientPantethine
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
Abrasive
Tromethamine
BufferingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Polysorbate 20, Acetyl Glucosamine, Yeast Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Adenosine Phosphate, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Pantethine, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Cholesterol, Squalane, Linoleic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Gold, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Tromethamine, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hexylene Glycol, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caramel, CI 77891, Mica, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientSucrose
Humectant
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Helianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientTrehalose
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningTourmaline
Urea
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
PEG-8
HumectantMagnesium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentSodium Sulfate
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingPotassium Nitrate
SoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Triacetin
AntimicrobialLecithin
Emollient
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingJojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Algae Extract, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sucrose, Yeast Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Plankton Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycereth-26, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Trehalose, Lactobacillus Ferment, Maris Sal, Tourmaline, Urea, Sodium PCA, Glycine Soja Protein, Glycosaminoglycans, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-8, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Nitrate, Pentylene Glycol, Triacetin, Lecithin, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Polysorbate 20, Polyquaternium-51, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Alcohol Denat., Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterYeast extract is a silky, clear liquid derived from yeast (usually Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Torula yeast).
This ingredient has plenty of skin benefits:
Bioferments of yeast and soy have been found to reduce hyperpigmentation at low levels.
Due to its fatty acid content, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Yeast Extract
