What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopentyldiol
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolymethyl Methacrylate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMannitol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningSucrose Dilaurate
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentSucrose Palmitate
EmollientParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyacrylamide
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingLecithin
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLysolecithin
EmulsifyingBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientPolianthes Tuberosa Extract
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Linoleate
EmollientPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Trihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlucose
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantBisabolol
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Chloride
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic Acid
Squalene
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCalcium Chloride
AstringentAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Acetate
BufferingLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantAlanine
MaskingHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingGlycine
BufferingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingCystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingOrnithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Coenzyme A
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantThiamine Diphosphate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Acetate
Skin ConditioningInositol
HumectantNiacin
SmoothingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Pantothenate
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantThiamine 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
EmollientSqualane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Myristate
EmollientPotassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBeheneth-20
EmulsifyingPEG-400
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydrogenated Palm Oil
EmollientDimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil
EmollientPolyvinyl Alcohol
Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingRetinyl Acetate
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantAlcohol
AntimicrobialCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCitronellol
PerfumingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingLamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialInositol
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Sylvestris Cone Extract
MaskingZiziphus 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
AbsorbentWater, 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
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 plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 (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. 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