What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantArbutin
AntioxidantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantNelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMadecassoside
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantBrassica Campestris Sprout Extract
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract
EmollientSophora Japonica Bud Extract
Skin ProtectingTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Arbutin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract, Trideceth-6, Adenosine, Carbomer, Madecassoside, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Asiaticoside, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Ectoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, Brassica Campestris Sprout Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Sophora Japonica Bud Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningC12-13 Pareth-9
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingSodium Phytate
Parfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Agar
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Brassica Campestris Sprout Extract
HumectantBrassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract
EmollientSophora Japonica Bud Extract
Skin ProtectingTriticum Vulgare Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasiveLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Methyl Gluceth-20, Panthenol, C12-13 Pareth-9, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Sodium Phytate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Agar, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Brassica Campestris Sprout Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Sophora Japonica Bud Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Tin Oxide, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Geraniol, CI 77891
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
We don't have a description for Brassica Campestris Sprout Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract yet.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerEctoin is a compound found naturally in some species of bacteria. It can be synthetically created for skincare use.
This ingredient is an osmolyte; Osmolytes help organisms survive osmotic shock (it protects them from extreme conditions). It does this by influencing the properties of biological fluids within cells.
When applied to the skin, ectoin helps bind water molecules to protect our skin. The water forms a sort of armor for the parts of our skin cells, enzymes, proteins, and more.
Besides this, ectoin has many uses in skincare:
A study from 2004 found ectoin to counteract the damage from UV-A exposure at different cell levels. It has also been shown to protect skin against both UV-A, UV-B rays, infrared light, and visible light.
Studies show ectoin to have dual-action pollution protection: first, it protects our skin from further pollution damage. Second, it helps repair damage from pollution.
In fact, ectoin has been shown to help with:
Fun fact: In the EU, ectoin is used in inhalation medication as an anti-pollution ingredient.
Ectoin is a highly stable ingredient. It has a wide pH range of 1-9. Light, oxygen, and temperature do not affect this ingredient.
The chemical name for this ingredient is Tetrahydromethylpyrimidine Carboxylic Acid.
Learn more about EctoinEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene 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 LinaloolMethyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.
It is created by combining polyethylene glycol with glucose.
We don't have a description for Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract 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 ParfumSodium 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 HyaluronateWe don't have a description for Sophora Japonica Bud Extract yet.
This ingredient comes from the young shoots of wheat (Triticum vulgare) and has skin conditioning/protecting properties. It's packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids.
One study found that an aqueous Triticum vulgare:
Please know that anyone with a wheat or gluten allergy should proceed with caution since this ingredient is wheat-derived.
Learn more about Triticum Vulgare Sprout ExtractWater. 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