What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Kojyl Methylenedioxycinnamate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningChitosan
Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
HumectantPalmitic Acid
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract
MaskingSelaginella Tamariscina Extract
Skin ConditioningArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTheanine
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Parfum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate/Caprate, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Kojyl Methylenedioxycinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Xylitol, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Chitosan, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract, Selaginella Tamariscina Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Glycolipids, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Caffeine, Theanine, Sodium Benzoate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantBetaine
HumectantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientMethoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingJojoba Esters
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingHydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSucrose Polystearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHoney
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPanax Ginseng Seed Oil
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Flower Extract
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Methyl Gluceth-20, Betaine, Behenyl Alcohol, Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Carbomer, Jojoba Esters, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Parfum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sucrose Polystearate, Phenoxyethanol, Honey, Ethylhexylglycerin, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Panax Ginseng Seed Oil, Linalool, Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panax Ginseng Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Polyaspartate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 ParfumThis ingredient is extracted from the seeds of the cocoa tree.
Cacao seeds contain antioxidants known as polyphenols. These include flavonoids, procyanidins, and epicatechins.
Studies show these polyphenols help improve skin health.
The more famous ingredient from cocoa tree is cocoa butter.
Learn more about Theobroma Cacao ExtractTocopherol (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 skinâs 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 TocopherolTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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