What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Butylene Glycol
HumectantNylon-12
Silica
AbrasiveSqualane
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 40
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLimonene
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Butylene Glycol, Nylon-12, Silica, Squalane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Isohexadecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 40, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sorbitan Isostearate, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningPvp
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCitrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantGossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantVitis Vinifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningKrameria Triandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingCoriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil
MaskingLitsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Oil
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientDivinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingC12-13 Pareth-23
CleansingC12-13 Pareth-3
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Pvp, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Krameria Triandra Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Oil, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethiconol, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created by fermenting sorbitol (which usually comes from potato starch!). It is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties.
Manufacturer tests show this ingredient helped reduce irritation from lactic acid by almost half and kept skin hydrated long-term as a humectant
Beyond hydration, Biosaccharide Gum-1 gives formulas a silky, non-sticky feel.
This ingredient is gentle, versatile, and suitable for all skin types.
Fun fact: Similar sugars can be found naturally in fruits like apples and pears.
Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1Butylene 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 CitronellolDimethicone 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Extract yet.
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 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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