What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingBetaine
HumectantPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventPrunus Persica Extract
CleansingYeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbeth-30
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Phosphate
BufferingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialWater, Butylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Betaine, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Prunus Persica Extract, Yeast Ferment Extract, Sorbeth-30, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Allantoin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panthenol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Phosphate, Benzyl Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbeth-30
EmulsifyingBetaine
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Cyclohexane
SolventParfum
MaskingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Sorbeth-30, Betaine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Glycosphingolipids, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Cyclohexane, Parfum, Phosphatidylcholine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexyl Cinnamal, 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 moisturizingg properties. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Studies show higher concentrations of this ingredient can promote wound healing.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinBetaine 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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sorbeth-30 isn't fungal acne safe.
Water. 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