What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer
EmollientDilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientMauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMel
EmollientOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientTrihydroxystearin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantGlucomannan
Skin ConditioningAroma
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Cera
AntiseborrhoeicCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingPolyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Mel, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trihydroxystearin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Aroma, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Propolis Cera, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Citral
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialWater
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingMel
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberTris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
StabilisingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic Colorant
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolLimonene 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 LinaloolThis ingredient is another INCI name for honey.
Honey mostly shows up in skincare as a humectant and skin conditioning agent. This is because its natural sugars (fructose and glucose) help hold onto water so skin feels softer and more hydrated.
Beyond hydration, honey also has antibacterial and wound-supporting properties. Its antibacterial action comes from a mix of things:
Manuka-type honey has an extra bacteria-killing compound called methylglyoxal, while all Honey contains a natural antibacterial protein called bee defensin-1.
Honey also nudges your immune cells to release signals that start the healing process. This is why medical-grade Honey is actually used in real wound dressings.
Just keep in mind that most of the strong clinical evidence is for wound care and not everyday cosmetic claims.
On concentrations and safety:
According to industry data, honey is used up to 22% in paste/mud packs, 7% as a honey extract in body/hand products, and face skincare levels sit well below that.
A human repeat insult patch test of 7% honey extract in 112 subjects showed no sensitization.
Allergy-wise, honey itself is a rare sensitizer. The bigger culprit is usually propolis that sometimes tags along in less-refined honey.
People allergic to propolis, conifer, poplar, salicylates, or Balsam of Peru are advised to avoid this ingredient due to shared allergens.
You might see this ingredient listed as either Honey or Mel. (they're the same thing). Mel is simply the Latin word for honey.
A lot of people wonder if Honey is vegan, and technically it isn't.
Honey is made by bees; they gather nectar and their natural enzymes turn it into the Honey we know. So because it comes from an animal, it doesn't fit a vegan lifestyle.
And please remember to be kind to bees :). They're vital to so many ecosystems, and many species are struggling so they're worth protecting.
Learn more about Mel