What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantAminopropyl Dimethicone
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientAmodimethicone
Steardimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningGamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningMeadowfoam Delta-Lactone
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantCetearamidoethyl Diethonium Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningDisodium Lauroyl Glutamate
CleansingPolylysine
Hematin
Polyquaternium-61
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-64
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSqualane
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingPCA
HumectantGlycine
BufferingAlanine
MaskingSerine
MaskingValine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantPhenylalanine
MaskingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeDicocodimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingCeteth-20
CleansingDiethyl Sebacate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate
MoisturisingPolyisobutene
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingEDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol, Amodimethicone, Steardimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Gamma-Docosalactone, Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Cetearamidoethyl Diethonium Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Disodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Polylysine, Hematin, Polyquaternium-61, Polyquaternium-64, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ceramide AP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide Ng, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cholesterol, Steartrimonium Chloride, Dicocodimonium Chloride, Ceteth-20, Diethyl Sebacate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Alcohol Denat., PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSteartrimonium Chloride
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningAmodimethicone
Methylparaben
PreservativeBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropylparaben
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingQuaternium-33
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ag
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Linseed Seed
HumectantCrataegus Monogyna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMethyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPeucedanum Japonicum Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingVaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract
AstringentCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Steartrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Methylparaben, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Propylparaben, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Arginine, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Beeswax, Quaternium-33, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Alcohol Denat., Phytosterols, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ag, Ceramide NP, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Linseed Seed, Crataegus Monogyna Fruit Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Methyl Carboxymethylphenyl Aminocarboxypropylphosphonate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Peucedanum Japonicum Leaf/Stem Extract, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Ceramide EOP, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.This water-soluble silicone is used for its hydrating and softening properties. It is used to add a silky feel to skincare products and has great benefits for haircare.
In haircare, this ingredient:
- Adds shine
- Protects color
- Offers thermal protection
- Boosts hair strength
- Does not build up as easily
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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 GlycolCeramide AP is a type of Ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.
They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide NP
Ceramide EOP
Ceramide NG is a type of Ceramide. The NG stands for a sphinganine base.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Ceramide NP
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.
Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.
Learn more about CholesterolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateHydrogenated 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.
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract comes from the lavender plant.
Many components of lavender flowers are antioxidants, such as ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and several flavonoids.
Traditional Iranian folk medicine uses Lavender extract to help treat inflammation.
Lavender extract may have a scent.
It contains linalool, a known allergen. However, lavender extract contains less linalool than lavender essential oil.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia Flower ExtractMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil is the fixed oil obtained from Macadamia nut.
Macadamia seed oil is rich in fatty acids, including oleic acid (45-75%), palmitoleic acid (7-33%), and palmitic acid (6-12%). They also contain various B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.
Palmitoleic acid has been shown to help soothe inflammation and promote wound healing. It is also naturally found in the fat of our skin.
Macadamia seed oil may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Learn more about Macadamia Ternifolia Seed OilParfum 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.
Steartrimonium Chloride is a preservative.
Tocopherol (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 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water