What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin ConditioningStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Glycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingAllantoin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Potassium Sorbate
PreservativeHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Chloride, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Lactic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isopropyl Alcohol, Caffeine, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Limonene, Linalool, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Potassium Sorbate, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialLarix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningVp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer
Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil
Skin ProtectingSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycine
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantPouteria Sapota Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-37
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Etidronic Acid
Benzalkonium Chloride
AntimicrobialBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cetrimonium Chloride, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Vp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer, Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycine, Glycerin, Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Polyquaternium-37, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trideceth-6, Sodium Metabisulfite, Zinc Chloride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Etidronic Acid, Benzalkonium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Limonene
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 AcidDisodium 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateGlycine is the smallest amino acid and a key building block of collagen. It's part if your skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
A study from 2022 found that an amino acid complex featuring taurine, arginine, and glycine significantly reduced skin irritation, improved redness, and accelerated the skin repair process.
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein is protein extracted from rice. This ingredient is rich in antioxidants and peptides.
Studies show this ingredient may help with blocking the melanin creation process when skin is exposed to UV.
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 LimoneneParfum 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.
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 SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWe don't have a description for Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine yet.
Water. 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