What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Dilaurate
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentSucrose Palmitate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Polianthes Tuberosa Extract
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Glucose
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Chloride
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Phytic Acid
Squalene
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Calcium Chloride
AstringentAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetate
BufferingLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAlanine
Masking
Histidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Cystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
Masking
Ornithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Coenzyme A
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantThiamine Diphosphate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Inositol
Humectant
Niacin
SmoothingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Pantothenate
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Isopentyldiol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Maltodextrin, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Mannitol, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Sucrose Dilaurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Sucrose Palmitate, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lecithin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Lysolecithin, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Polianthes Tuberosa Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pisum Sativum Extract, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Trihydroxystearin, Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Laureth-7, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glucose, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, CI 77491, Citric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Beta-Sitosterol, Phytic Acid, Squalene, Potassium Sorbate, Calcium Chloride, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Sodium Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Lysine Hcl, Arginine Hcl, CI 19140, Alanine, Histidine Hcl, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Glucomannan, Serine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Proline, Sodium Citrate, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine Hcl, Coenzyme A, Sodium Glucuronate, Thiamine Diphosphate, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hcl, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Potassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Beheneth-20
EmulsifyingPEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydrogenated Palm Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil
Emollient
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Retinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCitronellol
Perfuming
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingLamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Inositol
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
Masking
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
EmollientSaccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
EmollientBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCellulose
Absorbent
Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Myristyl Myristate, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Stearyl Alcohol, Beheneth-20, PEG-400, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Retinyl Acetate, Sodium Citrate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, BHT, Alcohol, Caffeine, Sodium Metabisulfite, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tocopherol, Linalool, CI 77492, Citronellol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, CI 77491, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Inositol, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Cone Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Eucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Saccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Cellulose
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.
Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Citric 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 AcidDisodium 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 GlycerinInositol is a sugar alcohol naturally found in the human body. Our bodies use this ingredient in the process of growing new cells.
Studies show inositol to be a key component for keratinocyte growth.
Keratinocytes make up the majority of the outermost layer of skin. These cells protect our skin from UV exposure, infection, and help keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient is also considered a humectant. Humectants help hydrate the skin by drawing moisture to it.
Learn more about InositolParfum 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.
Retinyl Acetate is part of the retinoid family. It is made from retinol and acetic acid.
Though retinyl acetate is more stable than retinol, it is also less effective and less irritating. This is due to the conversion line all retinoids have to go through.
All retinoids must be converted to retinoic acid. The further away from this end result, the less effective the ingredient is.
Fun fact: Retinyl acetate is commonly used as a Vitamin C additive for foods.
Learn more about Retinyl AcetateSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
