What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientDiethylhexyl Carbonate
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSteareth-21
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLaureth-3
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Isohexadecane, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Steareth-21, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Sodium Polyacrylate, Polysorbate 80, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laureth-3, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, CI 19140, Potassium Sorbate, CI 16035, Biotin
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingTriethyl Citrate
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingEpigallocatechin Gallate
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Bark Extract
AstringentAlcohol
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAmmonium Glycyrrhizate
MaskingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicBoswellia Serrata Gum
MaskingButylparaben
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCitronellol
PerfumingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylparaben
PreservativeFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLaureth-3
EmulsifyingLeptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
TonicLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantMethylparaben
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingPoloxamer 235
EmulsifyingPoloxamer 338
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocophersolan
AntioxidantTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingTriisopropanolamine
BufferingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantWater, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Triethyl Citrate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Aesculus Hippocastanum Bark Extract, Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Biotin, Boswellia Serrata Gum, Butylparaben, Caffeine, CI 17200, Citronellol, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylparaben, Faex Extract, Glycerin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Laureth-3, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Methylparaben, Panthenol, Parfum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG/PPG-20/6 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Phosphatidylcholine, Poloxamer 235, Poloxamer 338, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Propylparaben, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Cholate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocophersolan, Trideceth-9, Triethanolamine, Triisopropanolamine, Zinc Gluconate, Zinc PCA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester is a peptide composed of amino acids arginine and tyrosine.
This peptide is considered a neurotransmitter peptide, meaning it has pain-relieving and relaxing properties. It has the ability to calm skin irritation from external factors such as chemical stinging or heat.
Neurotransmitter peptides are also often called "botox in a bottle". This is because these peptides have the ability to relax the muscles.
Though relaxing the muscles can prevent expression lines (as we have seen in botox), the studies do not show these peptides to be a botox replacement. The effects of this muscle relaxation is also short-term, as opposed to longer-term results from botox.
Learn more about Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl EsterBiotin is a B vitamin that is naturally produced by our bodies. It is also called Vitamin H.
Our bodies use biotin in the metabolism process. It also helps our bodies use enzymes and move nutrients around. A biotin deficiency can lead to brittle hair and nails.
More research is needed on applying biotin topically. However, taking biotin orally has been shown to help nourish the skin, hair, and nails. They play a role in forming skin-hydrating fatty acids.
Biotin is water-soluble. It can be found in foods such as fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and meat. Vitamin H stands for "haar" and "haut". These are the German words for hair and skin.
Learn more about BiotinButylene 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 GlycolDisodium 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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose 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 HydroxyethylcelluloseWe don't have a description for Laureth-3 yet.
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 ParfumPotassium 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 SorbateSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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