What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientCyclomethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventGeraniol
PerfumingArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Octyldodecanol, Cyclomethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Trideceth-6, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Salicylate, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Disodium EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Geraniol, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15985, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientC15-19 Alkane
SolventGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPEG-75 Stearate
Ceteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSorbitol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
EmollientParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
EmulsifyingLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingWater, Octyldodecyl Myristate, C15-19 Alkane, Glycerin, Squalane, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-75 Stearate, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Plankton Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polyglycerin-6, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Potassium Sorbate, Citronellol, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateButylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetearyl 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 AlcoholCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl 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