What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salvia Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantPolyquaternium-55
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantBacillus Lysate
Skin ProtectingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingSodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientVaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Seed Oil
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHexapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningIllicium Verum Fruit Extract
PerfumingCananga Odorata Leaf Oil
MaskingDaucus Carota Fruit Oil
PerfumingJuniperus Virginiana Oil
MaskingCinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Leaf Oil
PerfumingPogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
MaskingVanillin
MaskingCitrus Sinensis Peel Extract
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCananga Odorata Flower Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPropoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone
C12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialC10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCetrimonium Bromide
AntimicrobialIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBeta-Caryophyllene
MaskingSalvia Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Polyquaternium-55, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Bacillus Lysate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hexapeptide-11, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Cananga Odorata Leaf Oil, Daucus Carota Fruit Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil, Citrus Aurantium Leaf Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Vanillin, Citrus Sinensis Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, C12-13 Pareth-3, C12-13 Pareth-23, Dimethiconol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetrimonium Chloride, C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Bromide, Isopropyl Palmitate, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Beta-Caryophyllene
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamide Mipa
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientCapryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide
EmulsifyingLauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Coconut Acid
CleansingParfum
MaskingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroamphoacetate
CleansingAmodimethicone
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Isethionate
CleansingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyquaternium-7
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Laureth-23
CleansingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialTrideceth-15
EmulsifyingTrideceth-3
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantRice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingShea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Silicone Quaternium-22
Sorbitol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSalicylic Acid
MaskingQuaternium-95
UV AbsorberCitric Acid
BufferingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingAcetic Acid
BufferingChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingPassiflora Incarnata Extract
AstringentRibes Nigrum Fruit Extract
AstringentCystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningBromelain
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingPalmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Santalum Album Extract
CleansingAmber Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasivePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeVegetable Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract
PerfumingOryza Sativa Seed Protein
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPhytic Acid
Oryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentCitrulline
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamide Mipa, Dimethicone, Capryloyl/Caproyl Methyl Glucamide, Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide, Glycerin, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Coconut Acid, Parfum, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Amodimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Isethionate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyquaternium-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Panthenol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-15, Trideceth-3, BHT, Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silicone Quaternium-22, Sorbitol, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Quaternium-95, Citric Acid, Caffeine, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acetic Acid, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Ribes Nigrum Fruit Extract, Cystine Bis-Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Bromelain, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Niacinamide, Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Santalum Album Extract, Amber Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Tin Oxide, Potassium Sorbate, Vegetable Amino Acids, Cupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Seed Protein, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phytic Acid, Oryza Sativa Extract, Citrulline, Gluconolactone, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Biotin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzyl Alcohol, Calcium Gluconate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (tea extract) is one of the most well-researched plant extracts in skincare with an impressive resume.
Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Studies show green tea extract and its catechins (like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) help your skin cells product energy more efficiently and reducing the number of free-radicals that can damage your skin from the inside.
In lab-grown skin models, this translated to younger, healthier, and stronger skin.
There's also good sun protection data; researchers saw less DNA damage and redness on human skin when green tea was applied before UVB exposure. And the more they applied, the better the protection.
Needless to say, this ingredient shouldn't replace your sunscreen. But it is a great supportive ingredient that you can already find in many sunscreens and antioxidant serums.
A 2009 study found a 2% green tea lotion was effective for mild-to-moderate acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity.
The quality of the extract matters a lot here:
Good extracts contain 50-90% catechins while lower quality ones are mostly there for marketing. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the quality or source of their ingredients.
Human Repeated Insult Patch Testing showed no irritation or sensitization at use concentrations (0.86% in leave-on products and up to 30% as leaf water).
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract comes from lemons. While lemon extract is exfoliating and antimicrobial, it can also cause skin sensitivity.
Lemons contains antioxidants, which may help with anti-aging. They are also rich in citric acid, an AHA.
And of course, lemons are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps with skin-brightening and increasing collagen production.
The acidity of lemons may work as an astringent for acne.
However, lemons can also cause skin sensitivity due to its limonene content. It can also increase photosensitivity, or sensitivity to the sun.
This ingredient is also used to add a lemon scent to products.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Fruit ExtractDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDipropylene 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is derived from guar gum. It is a skin conditioning agent that creates a thin, breathable film to reduce water loss during cleansing.
This leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped and also contributes to a creamier lather.
Due to the large molecule size, this ingredient is unlikely to penetrate skin.
Learn more about Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium ChlorideWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol yet.
Limonene 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 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium Sorbate