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 ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC15-19 Alkane
SolventSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventJojoba Esters
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Polyglycerin-3
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCellulose
AbsorbentCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientRoyal Jelly
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSteareth-21
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingTribehenin
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialMel
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningPEG-10 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveWater, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Squalane, Propanediol, Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyglycerin-3, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cellulose, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Royal Jelly, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Steareth-21, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Parfum, Tribehenin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Mel, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide Ng, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, CI 77492, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Glycine Soja Oil, Silica
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 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 ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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.Â
Itâs 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 JellySodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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