What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSea Water
HumectantSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientMilk Protein Extract
Pearl Extract
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingTropolone
Skin ConditioningEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Pearl
Skin ConditioningAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingGlucose
HumectantMannose
HumectantCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentSorbitol
HumectantFructan
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantOligopeptide-3
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isopropyl Myristate, Alcohol Denat., Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Menthol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Biotin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sea Water, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Milk Protein Extract, Pearl Extract, Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Tropolone, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Soluble Collagen, Citric Acid, Aspergillus Ferment, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Polysorbate 20, Hydrolyzed Pearl, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Collagen, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Glucose, Mannose, Collagen Amino Acids, Lysine, Arginine, Methionine, Cysteine, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Disodium EDTA, Maltodextrin, Sorbitol, Fructan, Fructooligosaccharides, Oligopeptide-3, Oligopeptide-1, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Eugenol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeC13-15 Alkane
SolventCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-22
Salicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientLactic Acid
BufferingCollagen Extract
Skin ConditioningPearl Extract
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Barley Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Potato Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningPearl Powder
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSoluble Collagen
HumectantCollagen
MoisturisingCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingSoluble Collagen Crosspolymer
EmollientRosin Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningAtelocollagen
Skin ConditioningPotassium Myristoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, C13-15 Alkane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Steartrimonium Chloride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-22, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Butylene Glycol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Collagen Extract, Pearl Extract, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Potato Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Pearl Powder, Sodium Chloride, Soluble Collagen, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Soluble Collagen Crosspolymer, Rosin Hydrolyzed Collagen, Atelocollagen, Potassium Myristoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitronellol 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 CitronellolCollagen is a big structural protein that your body uses to keep skin firm and bouncy. Despite the marketing, topically applied collagen doesn't "refill" the collagen in your skin.
The molecule is too big to pass through your skin barrier so intact Collagen physically can't get past the surface.
What it actually does in your skincare is work as a humectant and film-former: it binds water, lays down a light moisturizing film, and reduces water loss from the surface. This helps make skin feel smoother and temporarily plumper.
This ingredient has been found safe for use in cosmetics with clinical studies showing no irritation, sensitization, or phototoxicity. It's typically used at low concentrations (often a fraction of a percent up to a few percent).
Collagen will not increase sun sensitivity, but you should always wear sunscreen during the day.
Learn more about hydrolyzed collagen or soluble collagen.
Learn more about CollagenCollagen amino acids are naturally found in the outermost layer of your skin.Your body uses amino acids to build collagen and elastin.
Due to their tiny size, amino acids are able to be absorbed into the skin. They mostly play a role in keeping your skin hydrated and reinforcing your NMF (natural moisturizing factors).
Disodium 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 EDTAThis ingredient is also known as Bhringaraj extract or False Daisy. It is a skin conditioning ingredient that keeps skin soft and hydrated.
Research shows it has antioxidant properties; lab studies have found it can protect skin cells from UV-induced damage and help suppress inflammation.
There's also some interesting research on its potential to support hair growth by promoting the growth phase of the hair cycle.
Those with an allergy to plants in the daisy family may want to patch test this ingredient. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated otherwise.
Learn more about Eclipta Prostrata ExtractGeraniol 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 GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Collagen is Collagen (usually sourced from fish, bovine, or porcine byproducts) that's been broken down into smaller peptides. This makes it water-soluble and easy to blend into formulations.
In a formula, it works mainly as a skin-conditioning and moisturizing agent.
The small peptides and amino acids (including Natural Moisturizing Factor components like Hydroxyproline, Serine, and Aspartic Acid) help the surface of the skin hold onto water, feel softer, and look temporarily plumper.
This ingredient also has mild film-forming and antioxidant properties with research showing the antioxidant effect is stronger the lower the molecular weight of the peptides.
It's worth being realistic here:
Topically applied Hydrolyzed Collagen conditions the upper layers of skin rather than rebuilding the structural collagen deep in your dermis (the wrinkle-and-firmness benefits people associate with Collagen mostly come from oral supplements in studies, not topicals).
However, recent lab and skin-model work on Hydrolyzed Fish Collagen has shown promising effects on cell viability and wound healing when used as an active.
Typical concentrations range from 0.2-2%, but the percentage can go much higher in rinse-off or hair products (sometimes even above 50%).
Clinical studies on this ingredient showed no irritation, sensitization, or phototoxicity.
If you are looking for vegan collagen, it usually goes by a different INCI name like hydrolyzed soy protein. Vegan collagen is derived from yeast, bacteria, or plant sources.
The results are varied.
A study from 2021 found hydrolyzed collagen increased elasticity and improved wrinkles in 1,125 participants between age 20 and 70. Another study found increased skin thickness in participants between the ages of 45 to 59.
However, It is difficult to prove that oral collagen will end up working on your skin. Many of the studies using hydrolyzed collagen also add several vitamins and nutrients into the test mixture as well.
Further studies are needed at this time.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed CollagenWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Corn Protein yet.
Hydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinHydrolyzed 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.
Linalool 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 LinaloolMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil is a lightweight oil from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree. In cosmetics, it's an emollient that forms a light film to slow water loss and soften skin.
Its fatty acid composition is dominated by oleic acid (70-78%), with smaller amounts of behenic, palmitic, and stearic acids (this profile is actually pretty similar to olive oil).
Notably, this ingredient is oxidatively stable for an oil and resists going rancid as fast as other oils.
A small, in vivo study on 32 participants found a cream with this ingredient increased skin hydration with no reported skin irritation. It also found the tocopherol content gave it some antioxidant activity as well.
One thing to flag for fungal acne:
Because this oil is so high in oleic acid, Malassezia can use it as a food source and this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
For everyone else, this ingredient is well-tolerated and nourishing with a good safety track record.
Learn more about Moringa Oleifera Seed OilParfum 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 ParfumPearl Extract comes from, well, pearls. Pearls are harvested from oysters.
Pearls are rich in amino-acids, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and antioxidant compounds.
Two antioxidants found in pearls include: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione. Antioxidants aid in reducing the signs of aging.
Studies show pearls can aid in wound healing.
Pearls are harvested from oysters. To be vegan, an ingredient cannot be from an animal source.
Learn more about Pearl ExtractSoluble collagen is a large, water-loving protein typically extracted from cattle hides or marine sources like fish skin.
In cosmetics, it works purely as a humectant and film-former.
Despite the marketing that surrounds the word "collagen", its molecule is far too large to penetrate skin so it can't rebuild the collagen in your dermis.
Instead, it sits on the surface and binds water to help reduce transepidermal water loss and leave skin feeling soft, plump, and temporarily tightened.
Suppliers commonly recommend using it around 3-6% though industry data shows concentrations are often much lower (down to a fraction of a percent).
This ingredient has been found safe to use in cosmetics with no reported irritation, sensitization, or phototoxicity.
Learn more about Soluble CollagenWater. 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