What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingDiisostearyl Malate
EmollientUrea
BufferingPentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCalophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialBambusa Vulgaris Water
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitic Acid
EmollientPhyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingPhyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidic Acid
CleansingLauryl Alcohol
EmollientMyristic Acid
CleansingOleic Acid
EmollientCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Diisostearyl Malate, Urea, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Squalane, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitic Acid, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Phyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract, Aspergillus Ferment, Mandelic Acid, Myristyl Alcohol, Arachidic Acid, Lauryl Alcohol, Myristic Acid, Oleic Acid, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Linalool
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientDiospyros Kaki Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Parfum, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Citronellol, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Water, Linalool, Citral, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Beta-Carotene, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Reviews
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 GlycolCitral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralCitronellol 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 CitronellolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumWater. 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