What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclomethicone
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantMalpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-8
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclomethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Carbomer, Laureth-8, Disodium EDTA, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGlycereth-26
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclomethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPEG-32
HumectantGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyisobutene
Parfum
MaskingMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientHydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningSaussurea Involucrata Extract
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBHT
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
CI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, PEG-32, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Ethoxydiglycol, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Polyacrylate-13, Sorbitan Oleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyisobutene, Parfum, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, BHT, Disodium EDTA, CI 15985, CI 14700
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCyclomethicone is a class of silicones used to improve the texture of products.
Their cyclic or circular structure decreases stability. This causes quick evaporation when applied to skin. Cyclomethicones are often used as a carrier for other ingredients. Once it evaporates, it leaves a silky barrier on the skin.
The most popular types of cyclomethicones include D5 and D6.
Learn more about CyclomethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumTriethanolamine (TEA) is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
As an emulsifier, it prevents ingredients from separating and enhances texture by adding volume to a product.
PH adjusters are common in cosmetic products. The pH of a product can affect the effectiveness of other ingredients. A product with a high pH may also irritate the skin.
If you are looking for the tea leaf ingredient, click here.
Learn more about TriethanolamineWater. 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