What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePrunus Lannesiana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citronellol
PerfumingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ceramide NP, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Prunus Lannesiana Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Limonene, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citronellol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Xanthan Gum, Menthoxypropanediol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Butylene Glycol, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingVitreoscilla Ferment
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMenthoxypropanediol
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Ceramide NP, Carbomer, Zinc Gluconate, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Cholesterol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Menthoxypropanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 19140, CI 42090, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Capryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 LimoneneMenthoxypropanediol can cause irritation.
Parfum 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.
Sodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl 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 AcetateWater. 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. 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