What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientErythritol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningLauryl Alcohol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Seed Oil
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Oil
EmollientCitrus Paradisi Seed Oil
PerfumingHoney Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Coumarin
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingPrunus Serotina Fruit Extract
MaskingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCocos Nucifera Water
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitral
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Myristyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Squalane, Erythritol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Lauryl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Solanum Lycopersicum Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Oil, Citrus Paradisi Seed Oil, Honey Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Limonene, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Hydroxycitronellal, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Coumarin, Citronellol, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Cocos Nucifera Water, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientVinyldimethicone
Theobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Phytate
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Vinyldimethicone, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide NP, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-16 Alcohols, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Tromethamine, Dextrin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Parfum, Sodium Phytate, CI 19140
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 ParfumWater. 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