What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hordeum Vulgare Stem Water
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Emollient
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Erythritol
Humectant
Rosa Moschata Seed Oil
Emollient
Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Phytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Octyldodecyl PCA
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hordeum Vulgare Stem Water, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Betaine, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Phytosterol Esters, Parfum, Erythritol, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Glycine Soja Oil Unsaponifiables, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Phytosterols, Octyldodecyl PCA, Tocopherol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Anisate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Rosa Gallica Flower Water
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMannitol
Humectant
Tetraselmis Suecica Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
CI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42051
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Rosa Multiflora Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Rosa Gallica Flower Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Levulinic Acid, Parfum, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Gluconate, Mannitol, Tetraselmis Suecica Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, CI 47005, CI 42051
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is a lightweight ester created from coconut oil fatty acids, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is an emollient that helps soften skin and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). What sets it apart from heavier emollients is its ultralight, non-greasy feel.
Once applied, this ingredient dries down quickly and leaves a dry, silky finish behind. This also helps improve spreadability and texture.
This ingredient has an excellent safety-record and is non-irritating.
Typical concentrations for cosmetics range from 0.5-62%.
Research on Malassezia growth found no growth on fatty acid esters with chain lengths shorter than 12 carbons (it prefers C11-24).
Since Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is built on C8 and C10 fatty acids, it is out of the range that Malassezia metabolizes, and therefore safe for fungal acne.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene 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 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 ParfumSodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. Oncedissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical. It is usually derived from renewable plant sources like corn starch or sugarcane.
In skincare, it mostly acts as a skin conditioning agent that keeps skin soft and hydrated. It also acts as a preservative booster by inhibiting the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria.
It's often paired with Sodium Anisate as the two create a broad-spectrum preservative system that is popular in "natural" formulations.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
The CIR Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety has concluded this ingredient to be non-irritated and there are no restrictions for use in EU cosmetics. The FDA also allows this ingredient to be used as a food-grade flavoring agent.
Learn more about Sodium LevulinateWater. 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
