What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Malachite Extract
AntioxidantPhyllostachys Bambusoides Juice
Skin ConditioningBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
PerfumingMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
EmollientMentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCitrus Grandis Seed Extract
AstringentPerilla Frutescens Leaf Extract
MaskingAcorus Gramineus Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Methyl Gluceth-20, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Malachite Extract, Phyllostachys Bambusoides Juice, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Acorus Gramineus Root/Stem Extract, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysorbate 80, Tocopherol, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Eugenol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDiphenyl Dimethicone
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMadecassoside
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin ConditioningBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantFragaria Vesca Leaf Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOriganum Majorana Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingThymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingParfum
MaskingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Triethylhexanoin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Parfum
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
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinParfum 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 HyaluronateWater. 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