What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
C15-19 Alkane
SolventBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
PEG-8
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate-13
Polyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingC20-22 Alcohols
Emulsion Stabilising
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOctenidine Hcl
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Menthone Glycerin Acetal
Refreshing
Menthol
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
CI 12490
Cosmetic ColorantCI 74160
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Kaolin, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Behenyl Alcohol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, PEG-8, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Betaine, Silica, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate, C20-22 Alcohols, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Octenidine Hcl, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Menthol, Lactic Acid, Parfum, CI 12490, CI 74160
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Kaolin
Abrasive
Bentonite
Absorbent
Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyacrylamide
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pearl Extract
Antioxidant
Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningEthyl Hexanediol
SolventCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Kaolin, Bentonite, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Palmitic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Stearic Acid, Polyacrylamide, Caprylyl Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Laureth-7, Butylene Glycol, Pearl Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, CI 77891, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinParfum 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 ParfumSilica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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
