What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientQuaternium-22
Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlpha-Glucan Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientPanicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBacopa Monnieri Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
EmollientTriticum Aestivum Seed Extract
PerfumingPassiflora Incarnata Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveSodium Nitrate
SoothingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeUrtica Dioica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicEugenol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCinnamal
PerfumingCI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Quaternium-22, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Glycerin, Alpha-Glucan Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Myristyl Alcohol, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bacopa Monnieri Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Triticum Aestivum Seed Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Sodium Nitrate, Potassium Sorbate, Urtica Dioica Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbic Acid, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Biotin, Eugenol, Limonene, Linalool, Cinnamal, CI 77163
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeGlycerin
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBacopa Monnieri Extract
Skin ConditioningEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingMusa Sapientum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningWithania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningGmelina Arborea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOroxylum Indicum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPremna Serratifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Indicum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Xanthocarpum Root Extract
MaskingStereospermum Suaveolens Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTribulus Terrestris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingTrigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract
PerfumingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningOrbignya Speciosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-10
Citric Acid
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCoumarin
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bacopa Monnieri Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Gmelina Arborea Root Extract, Oroxylum Indicum Root Extract, Premna Serratifolia Root Extract, Solanum Indicum Root Extract, Solanum Xanthocarpum Root Extract, Stereospermum Suaveolens Root Extract, Tribulus Terrestris Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Orbignya Speciosa Kernel Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Water, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Coumarin, Citronellol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Bacopa Monnieri Extract yet.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidThis ingredient is also known as Bhringaraj extract or False Daisy. It is a skin conditioning ingredient that keeps skin soft and hydrated.
Research shows it has antioxidant properties; lab studies have found it can protect skin cells from UV-induced damage and help suppress inflammation.
There's also some interesting research on its potential to support hair growth by promoting the growth phase of the hair cycle.
Those with an allergy to plants in the daisy family may want to patch test this ingredient. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated otherwise.
Learn more about Eclipta Prostrata ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilThis extract comes from the Roselle flower, or Hibiscus Sabdariffa. Roselle flowers are rich in antioxidants.
Studies found the antioxidants in Roselle flowers to potentially help reduce UV-B damage.
Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseParfum 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 SorbateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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