What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGlycolic Acid
Buffering3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantSodium Chloride
MaskingRoyal Jelly
Mel
EmollientMel Extract
MoisturisingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantAgar
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
MaskingUlex Europaeus Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningYeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Sodium Chloride, Royal Jelly, Mel, Mel Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Agar, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, CI 77891, Sodium Benzoate, Ulex Europaeus Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Yeast Ferment Extract, Tin Oxide
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglycerin-3
HumectantMel
EmollientRoyal Jelly
Lecithin
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Parfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantAngelica Keiskei Extract
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Mel, Royal Jelly, Lecithin, Chlorphenesin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Angelica Keiskei Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinCitric 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 AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 Mel yet.
Parfum 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 ParfumPolyglycerin-3 is a 3-unit glycerin polymer.
Like glycerin, this ingredient is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing water to it.
Having moisturized skin helps improve the skin barrier. Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Learn more about Polyglycerin-3Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolRoyal Jelly Extract is a secretion made by worker honeybees. This secretion is white and described as creamy.
This compound has antibacterial, anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The antibacterial property makes Royal Jelly helpful in wound-healing.
Antioxidants help protect our skin against free radical molecules. These molecules may damage our skin's DNA. Two antioxidant compounds found in royal jelly are ferulic acid and quercetin.
Compounds found in royal jelly include: sulfur, calcium, zinc, iron, and B vitamins.
Royal Jelly is derived from honeybees. This means it is not vegan.
Learn more about Royal JellyWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water