What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDecyl Oleate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Isohexadecane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Creatine
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Escin
TonicDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer
BHT
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Carnosine
Skin Conditioning
Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate
Antioxidant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
Emollient
Sodium Methylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPropylparaben
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Decyl Oleate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cyclopentasiloxane, CI 77891, Silica, Dimethicone, Steareth-21, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Mica, Isohexadecane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Creatine, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Escin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, BHT, Parfum, Sclerotium Gum, Sorbitan Isostearate, CI 77491, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Carnosine, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Sodium Methylparaben, Sodium Bisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Pentylene Glycol, CI 17200, Propylparaben, Ethylhexylglycerin, Superoxide Dismutase, Tromethamine, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Cetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientImperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Sucrose Palmitate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Stearalkonium Hectorite
Gel Forming1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Propylene Carbonate
SolventPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Anigozanthos Flavidus Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Lactate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingPotassium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
AstringentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMagnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetate
BufferingLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Alanine
MaskingHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Tryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Serine
Masking
Cystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
Masking
Ornithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicProline
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Coenzyme A
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantThiamine Diphosphate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Inositol
Humectant
Niacin
Smoothing
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCalcium Pantothenate
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Silica, Sucrose Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Stearalkonium Hectorite, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Chloride, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Adenosine, Anigozanthos Flavidus Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Levulinic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Citrate, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Glucose, Tocopherol, P-Anisic Acid, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Sodium Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Lysine Hcl, Arginine Hcl, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Alanine, Histidine Hcl, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Serine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Biotin, Proline, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine Hcl, Coenzyme A, Sodium Glucuronate, Thiamine Diphosphate, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Parfum 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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium 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 HydroxideSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
