What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV Absorber
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTrehalose
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrideceth-10
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Triethanolamine
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Octocrylene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Squalane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trehalose, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Parfum, Polysorbate 20, PEG-100 Stearate, Disodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Trideceth-10, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Triethanolamine, Chlorphenesin, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ubiquinone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Parfum
Masking
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPetrolatum
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isomerized Linoleic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Lactate
BufferingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientAlginic Acid
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Stearic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Parfum, Carbomer, Petrolatum, Cetyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrated Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isomerized Linoleic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Lactic Acid, Potassium Lactate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Alginic Acid, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, BHT, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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
