What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMel
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialCellulose
AbsorbentArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientRoyal Jelly
Fructose
HumectantC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride
EmollientAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningZingiber Zerumbet Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropylene Carbonate
SolventSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMalva Sylvestris Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingTin Oxide
AbrasivePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mel, Alcohol, Cellulose, Arachidyl Alcohol, Royal Jelly, Fructose, C10-18 Triglycerides, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Polyacrylate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Behenyl Alcohol, CI 77891, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric/Succinic Triglyceride, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Arachidyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Zingiber Zerumbet Extract, Chlorphenesin, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Tin Oxide, Potassium Sorbate, Caramel, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientBetaine
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCellulose
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningStearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer
EmollientSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAnigozanthos Flavidus Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Escin
TonicDimethiconol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTin Oxide
AbrasiveSodium Benzoate
MaskingMitracarpus Scaber Extract
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingFurcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, CI 77891, Cellulose, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Caffeine, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate, Anigozanthos Flavidus Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Disodium EDTA, Escin, Dimethiconol, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Tocopherol, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tin Oxide, Sodium Benzoate, Mitracarpus Scaber Extract, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAvena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.
This ingredient helps sooth, hydrate, and protect the skin. The starches in colloidal oatmeal are able to bind water, keeping the skin hydrated.
The cellulose and fiber in colloidal oatmeal help reduce inflammation. This can also help the skin feel softer.
Colloidal Oatmeal is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our skin from free-radical damage.
Oatmeal also contains beneficial compounds:
This ingredient is created by mixing grounded oatmeal and a liquid base.
Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel ExtractButylene 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, 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
Learn more about CelluloseCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Glycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumThis is a botanical extract from the rosemary plant (the same one you cook with). In skincare, it mostly works as a skin conditioning agent.
Its activity comes from a handful of polyphenols, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Almost 90% of the antioxidant activity of this ingredient can be attributed to canosol and carnosic acid.
These compounds protect your skin two ways:
1) They fight off free radicals, or the unstable molecules from things like sun and pollution that age and damage skin.
2) They help calm inflammation by switching off the chemical signals that tell skin to get red and irritated.
Lab studies also suggest that rosmarinic acid may help protect collagen and slow sugar-related damage to it.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has concluded rosemary-derived ingredients to be safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing.
Rosemary can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis (due to carnosol), so be sure to patch test if you have reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractSodium 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 BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.
It is considered non-irritating on the skin.
Learn more about Synthetic FluorphlogopiteTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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