What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCeresin
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventVolcanic Sand
Skin ConditioningSolanum Lycopersicum Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningDaphne Odora Callus Extract
Skin ProtectingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract
AntioxidantOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSilica
AbrasiveSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDistearyldimonium Chloride
Disteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ceresin, Glycerin, Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Propanediol, Volcanic Sand, Solanum Lycopersicum Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Daphne Odora Callus Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Benzyl Benzoate, Silica, Sorbitan Olivate, Panthenol, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Citral, Linalool, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingSilica Silylate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Geraniol, Eugenol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sucrose, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Salicylic Acid, Caffeine, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Phospholipids, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Glucosamine Hcl, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tromethamine, Silica Silylate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491
Reviews
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 GlycolCitral 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 CitralDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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