What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingPEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantHoney
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Honey Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientZein
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCoco-Glucoside
CleansingRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate
EmulsifyingSodium Isostearate
CleansingPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningCerebrosides
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantAcacia Dealbata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Triethylhexanoin, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropyl Myristate, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopherol, Honey, Water, Butylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Honey Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Zein, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Honey Extract, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Royal Jelly Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate, Sodium Isostearate, Propolis Extract, Cerebrosides, Hydrolyzed Silk, Acacia Dealbata Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum
Honey
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSoluble Collagen
HumectantHydrolyzed Honey Protein
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantGluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningKeratin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingAbies Alba Seed Oil
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantCholesterol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingQuaternium-18
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRoyal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningQuaternium-33
Propolis Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingDimethiconol
EmollientRosa Centifolia Flower Water
Skin ConditioningCapsicum Annuum Extract
MaskingElaeis Guineensis Oil
EmollientHoney, Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Butylene Glycol, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Honey Protein, Tocopherol, Gluconobacter/Honey Ferment Filtrate, Keratin, Coco-Glucoside, Abies Alba Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Bisabolol, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Quaternium-18, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Royal Jelly Extract, Honey Extract, Ceramide NP, Quaternium-33, Propolis Extract, Parfum, Ceramide Ng, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, Ceramide AP, Hydrolyzed Silk, Panthenol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethiconol, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Capsicum Annuum Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilButylene 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 GlycolCoco-Glucoside is a surfactant, or a cleansing ingredient. It is made from glucose and coconut oil.
Surfactants help gather dirt, oil, and other pollutants from your skin to be rinsed away.
This ingredient is considered gentle and non-comedogenic. However, it may still be irritating for some.
Learn more about Coco-GlucosideCyclopentasiloxane, 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Glycerin (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 GlycerinHoney comes from bees. It is mainly made up of the sugars fructose and glucose.
Besides sugar, honey also contains amino acids, peptides, Vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamins A, C, and E.
As a humectant, honey is great at hydrating the skin. Humectants draw moisture from the air and hold it to your skin.
Honey also has antioxidant and antioxidant properties. Fun fact: darker honey has more antioxidants than light honey.
The antibacterial property of honey may make it effective at helping to treat acne. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Many people wonder if honey is vegan. It is technically a byproduct from bees. This is because honey is created from the digestive enzymes in a bee's stomach.
Remember to be kind to bees :) They are important for many ecosystems and are endangered.
Learn more about HoneyThis ingredient comes from honey made by bees. It is hydrating, antibacterial, anti-aging, and skin soothing.
Honey also contains amino acids, peptides, Vitamins A, C, and E.
The humectant property of honey draws moisture from the air to your skin. This makes it great at helping to hydrate the skin.
Honey may help reduce the signs of aging due to its antioxidant properties. Fun fact: darker honey has more antioxidants than light honey. The antibacterial property of honey may make it effective at helping to treat acne by killing acne-causing bacteria.
Many people wonder if honey extract is vegan. It is technically a byproduct from bees. This is because honey is created from the digestive enzymes in a bee's stomach.
Remember to be kind to bees :) They are important for many ecosystems and are endangered.
Learn more about Honey ExtractWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Honey Protein yet.
You can find hydrolyzed silk in both haircare and skincare products. According to a manufacturer, it can help improve skin and hair hydration.
This ingredient is created by adding acid or enzymes to 'hydrolyze' silk protein.
Due to the origins of this ingredient, it is not vegan. Silk is an animal product from silkworms.
Depending on the source, this ingredient can be considered cruelty-free. It is created from left-over cocoons of silkworms. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about where their hydrolyzed silk comes from.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed SilkParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propolis Extract is a natural ingredient derived from propolis (also known as bee glue). Bees make propolis by mixing their saliva and beeswax with resins collected from tree buds and plants.
This ingredient is packed with bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolic acids, and amino acids that give it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Research shows it can help:
It also pairs nicely with hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides.
Just so you know, Propolis Extract is recognized as a contact allergen. In patch tests done in the EU, roughly 1-6% of patients react to it. Be sure to steer clear of this ingredient if you have a known allergy to bee products.
Since it is an animal-derived product, this ingredient is not considered vegan. For vegan alternatives, check out Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate or Centella Asiatica Extract.
Learn more about Propolis ExtractRoyal Jelly Extract comes from a secretion made by worker honeybees. This secretion is white and described as creamy.
This compound has antibacterial, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies show Royal Jelly to contain amino acids, fatty acids, and a variety of vitamins, including Vitamin Bs. Many of these components are antioxidants, which help with anti-aging. The fatty acids in Royal Jelly make it a hydrating ingredient.
Several animal studies show Royal Jelly to boost collagen production and reduce inflammation.
The Vitamin Bs found in Royal Jelly include:
Royal Jelly is derived from honeybees. This means it is not vegan.
Learn more about Royal Jelly ExtractTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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