What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningLitchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingChlorophyllin-Copper Complex
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 60, Citric Acid, Parfum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Persea Gratissima Oil, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Water
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialLanolin Acid
CleansingVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCeteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningDi-C12-15 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride
Citric Acid
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingStyrene/Vp Copolymer
Benzophenone-4
UV AbsorberAmmonium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethiconol
EmollientPolyquaternium-11
Lactic Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPCA
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTartaric Acid
BufferingPyruvic Acid
MaskingMalic Acid
BufferingStearoxypropyl Dimethylamine
Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Flour Lipids
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
Humectant2,6-Dimethyl-7-Octen-2-Ol
MaskingIsobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingHexyl Salicylate
Masking4-Tert-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate
PerfumingTetrahydrolinalool
PerfumingAnisaldehyde
MaskingPentadecalactone
MaskingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingEthyl Trimethylcyclopentene Butenol
MaskingMenthol
MaskingMentha Piperita Oil
MaskingMethylbenzyl Acetate
MaskingWater, Trisiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Lanolin Acid, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Ceteartrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol, PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone, Styrene/Vp Copolymer, Benzophenone-4, Ammonium Hydroxide, Dimethiconol, Polyquaternium-11, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, PCA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tartaric Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Malic Acid, Stearoxypropyl Dimethylamine, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Palmitic Acid, Myristic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Triticum Vulgare Flour Lipids, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Dipropylene Glycol, 2,6-Dimethyl-7-Octen-2-Ol, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Hexyl Salicylate, 4-Tert-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate, Tetrahydrolinalool, Anisaldehyde, Pentadecalactone, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethyl Trimethylcyclopentene Butenol, Menthol, Mentha Piperita Oil, Methylbenzyl Acetate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 (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 ParfumThis ingredient is also known as Avocado oil. It's the cold-pressed oil from the flesh of the avocado fruit packed with fatty acids (mostly oleic acid).
The rich fatty acid profile allows it to function as a skin conditioning agent and emollient; it helps soften and smooth skin while reducing water loss.
Preclinical research has found that topical avocado oil increased collagen synthesis and reduced inflammation during wound healing, giving it some skin-repairing credibility.
The unsaponifiable fraction of the oil is also interesting: studies on avocado unsaponifiables showed that it helped skin produce more collagen and other structural compounds that support healing.
The CIR Expert Panel has found this ingredient to be non-irritating in formulations.
It's a great ingredient for dry or compromised skin. Just know it may not be fungal acne safe. This is because the oleic acid content falls within the range that Malassezia can use as a food source.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima OilPolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholTocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water