What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDisiloxane
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Peel Oil
AstringentButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingValine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCyclopentasiloxane, Disiloxane, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Water, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Ceramide NP, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Tocopherol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMenthol
MaskingMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSea Water
HumectantSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSaccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientMilk Protein Extract
Pearl Extract
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract
MaskingTropolone
Skin ConditioningEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Pearl
Skin ConditioningAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCollagen
MoisturisingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingGlucose
HumectantMannose
HumectantCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentSorbitol
HumectantFructan
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantOligopeptide-3
Skin ConditioningOligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Isopropyl Myristate, Alcohol Denat., Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Menthol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Biotin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sea Water, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Milk Protein Extract, Pearl Extract, Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Fruit Extract, Tropolone, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactococcus Ferment, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Soluble Collagen, Citric Acid, Aspergillus Ferment, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Polysorbate 20, Hydrolyzed Pearl, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Collagen, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Glucose, Mannose, Collagen Amino Acids, Lysine, Arginine, Methionine, Cysteine, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Disodium EDTA, Maltodextrin, Sorbitol, Fructan, Fructooligosaccharides, Oligopeptide-3, Oligopeptide-1, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Eugenol, Limonene
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
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineAspartic Acid is an amino acid that our bodies produce naturally. It is an antioxidant.
Our body uses Aspartic Acid to help build collagen and elastin. It also plays a role in hydrating skin.
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 GlycolCeramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.
Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.
This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.
A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.
Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.
Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.
Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.
Learn more about Ceramide NPCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneCysteine is an amino acid found in our bodies. It becomes an antioxidant when converted into gluthatione.
Once it becomes gluthatione, it prevents oxidative damage to parts of our cell. Gluthatione has also been shown to protect our skin from UV-B induced damage.
Glutamic Acid is an amino acid that is found in all living organisms. Our bodies use this to help nerve cells in the brain communicate with other cells.
In cosmetics, glutamic acid is a famous humectant. It draws water from the air to your skin, keeping your skin hydrated (like hyaluronic acid).
An in-vitro study from 2024 found glutamic acid to play a role in inhibiting inflammation and thus a potential skin-soothing ingredient.
Other studies show it to be have potential wound healing, skin barrier repair, and hair growth properties.
Glutamic acid has poor solubility in water and other solvents.
Learn more about Glutamic AcidHelianthus 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 OilHydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinLimonene 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 LinaloolLysine is an essential amino acid (your body cannot make it on its own). It has skin conditioning properties and one of the key players in collagen synthesis.
When your body creates collagen, lysine is basically the glue that holds everything together. It helps collagen fibers lock into each other and stay strong, with vitamin C being its trusty sidekick. Without enough lysine, this glue gets flimsy and less firm, resulting in less bouncy skin.
In skincare, lysine is mostly there to help keep your skin moisturized. It carries water through your skin's layers so everything stays plump.
So will putting lysine on your face create bouncier skin?
It's hard to say; most of the exciting collagen research on lysine comes from oral supplements or lab studies on mice. Further research is needed to truly understand what role topical lysine plays in skincare and your skin.
However, there's no harm in adding lysine to your routine as a supportive and hydrating ingredient.
Learn more about LysineMethionine is an essential amino acid. It is a conditioning agent and commonly found in both skin and hair products.
This amino acid is a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant.
Fun fact: Methionine can be found in meat, fish, and dairy. It cannot be naturally produce and requires dietary intake.
Learn more about MethionineParfum 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