What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Sr-Spider Polypeptide-1
Skin Protecting
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearamidoethyldiethonium Succinoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
CleansingOpuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Formate
Buffering
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingHeptyl Glucoside
Glyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Polyquaternium-73
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Heptanol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Glycolate
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Water, Propanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dicaprylyl Ether, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Sr-Spider Polypeptide-1, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Cetearamidoethyldiethonium Succinoyl Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Sodium Formate, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Heptyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Polyquaternium-73, Cetrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Benzoate, Heptanol, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Glycolate, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isodecyl Oleate
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Dioctyldodecyl Dodecanedioate
EmollientSodium Phytate
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Linoleamidopropyl Dimethylamine Dimer Dilinoleate
Skin ConditioningC10-18 Triglycerides
Emollient
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingPEG-75 Stearate
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGluconic Acid
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Isodecyl Oleate, Isopentyldiol, Dioctyldodecyl Dodecanedioate, Sodium Phytate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Jojoba Esters, Linoleamidopropyl Dimethylamine Dimer Dilinoleate, C10-18 Triglycerides, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Cyclodextrin, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, PEG-75 Stearate, Polyglycerin-3, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Gluconic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Citral, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseParfum 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
