What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialVp/Va Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningRice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Phoenix Dactylifera Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Limonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPolyperfluoroethoxymethoxy Difluoroethyl PEG Phosphate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Alcohol Denat., Vp/Va Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Laneth-40 Maleate/Styrene Sulfonate Copolymer, Parfum, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Rice Amino Acids, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobacillus/Phoenix Dactylifera Fruit Ferment Extract, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy Difluoroethyl PEG Phosphate, Linalool, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Sulfate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSpathodea Campanulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingWater, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Panthenol, Parfum, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Sulfate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Spathodea Campanulata Flower Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Limonene
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.Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol yet.
Limonene 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 LimonenePanthenol 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 ParfumPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateWater. 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 Water