What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCocoglycerides
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantMilk Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Cocoglycerides, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Milk Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentYucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
CleansingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Glycolic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf/Stem Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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 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 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.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is more gentle than ascorbic acid. It is also more stable when exposed to light and oxygen.
Vitamin C helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
Your skin uses Vitamin C to produce collagen and collagen production plays a role in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. As an antioxidant, this ingredient also helps reduce the signs of aging such as fine-lines and wrinkles.
VItamin C helps brighten skin by blocking the process of skin darkening.
In a 2011 study, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate was found to have antibacterial properties. This may help treat acne.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSodium 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 HydroxideTocopheryl 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