What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLinalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate
Emulsifying
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Alcohol Denat., Isononyl Isononanoate, Sodium Carbomer, Linalool, Geraniol, Salicylic Acid, Silica Silylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Chlorphenesin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Limonene, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, CI 19140, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
C13-15 Alkane
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate
Emulsifying
Lecithin
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
Cleansing
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingGlyceryl Laurate
Emollient
PEG-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Fructose
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingUrea
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Maltose
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Pectin
Emulsion StabilisingGlucose
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Crocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantChondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Propanediol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Panthenol, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Bisabolol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Glyceryl Laurate, PEG-8, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Fructose, Sodium Hydroxide, Urea, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Maltose, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Trehalose, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Pectin, Glucose, Arginine, Proline, Serine, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Caramel, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
