What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingPhytonadione Epoxide
AstringentMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingAcrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Steareth-20
CleansingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialN-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantChrysin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicWater, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Myristate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Phytonadione Epoxide, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Cera Microcristallina, CI 77891, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Steareth-20, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-8, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Dipeptide-2, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Chrysin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Citrate, Biotin
Water
Skin ConditioningBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientMoringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientArbutin
AntioxidantNiacinamide
SmoothingJojoba Esters
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantPhytonadione Epoxide
AstringentTranexamic Acid
AstringentDimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPEG-75 Stearate
SurfactantPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingBHT
AntioxidantBiosaccharide Gum-2
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantWater, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Ethylhexanoate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Arbutin, Niacinamide, Jojoba Esters, Bisabolol, Phytonadione Epoxide, Tranexamic Acid, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Dimethicone, PEG-75 Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, BHT, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbyl Palmitate is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) made by combining it with palmitic acid.
It is able to blend easily into creams and oil-based formulas because it dissolves in oils rather than water.
As you may know, regular vitamin C is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and air. Ascorbyl Palmitate is more stable and degrades at a slower rate.
Research on whether it converts efficiently into active vitamin C once it's applied on your skin is still limited.
Some in-vitro studies suggest it may support collagen production, but it is not considered one of the stronger vitamin C derivatives, like:
Due to the palmitic acid base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Comedogenic studies have also shown this ingredient to have a rating of 2.
It's also worth keeping in mind that comedogenic and irritancy ratings are tested on individual ingredients, not finished formulas. The final product's formulation, concentration, and other ingredients all play a role in how something actually behaves on your skin.
Learn more about Ascorbyl PalmitateBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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.
We don't have a description for Phytonadione Epoxide yet.
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 SorbateSteareth-20 is an emulsifier and solubilizer. It is created from stearyl alcohol with ~20 units of ethylene oxide to give it a strong preference for water.
As an emulsifier, it helps oil-in-water emulsions like lotions, creams, and cleansers stay stable. It also solubilizes small amounts of oil-loving ingredients (like fragrance) into water-based formulas.
You'll likely find this ingredient with steareth-2 (it's oil-loving sister) where the two work together to give products a cushiony feel.
Typical use levels sit at around 1-5% and this ingredient has been found to be non-irritating by the CIR Expert Panel.
Learn more about Steareth-20Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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