What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCoco-Betaine
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Parfum, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Propanediol, Caramel, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Citral, Citronellol
Alcohol
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberGeraniol
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitral
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Cinnamate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingFarnesol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantAlcohol, Parfum, Water, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Linalool, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Geraniol, BHT, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Benzyl Cinnamate, Benzyl Alcohol, Farnesol, Tocopherol, CI 14700, CI 19140, CI 60730
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
The term '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.
Learn more about CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneParfum 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 ParfumTocopherol 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 Water