What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Hydrogenated Soybean Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Soluble Proteoglycan
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol, Water, Ascorbic Acid, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Tocopherol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Soluble Proteoglycan, Magnesium Chloride, Ergothioneine
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Masking3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
BHA
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Citral
Perfuming
Citronellyl Methylcrotonate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Alcohol, BHA, BHT, Citral, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Linalool, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Retinol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cholate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tranexamic Acid, Triethanolamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 ParfumPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
