What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantPolysilicone-29
Vp/Methacrylamide/Vinyl Imidazole Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingSilicone Quaternium-18
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPolyquaternium-7
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingDeceth-7
EmulsifyingPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Algin
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingMaris Aqua
HumectantRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Limonene
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialTrimethylbenzenepropanol
MaskingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingAnethole
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Polysilicone-29, Vp/Methacrylamide/Vinyl Imidazole Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Silicone Quaternium-18, Sodium Gluconate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Trideceth-6, Deceth-7, Phosphatidylcholine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Arginine Hcl, Hydrolyzed Algin, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Sodium Benzoate, Maris Aqua, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Trimethylbenzenepropanol, Geranyl Acetate, Anethole, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysilicone-29
Parfum
MaskingPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArgan Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
CleansingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantPEG-40
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Silicone Quaternium-18
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingVanillin
MaskingWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysilicone-29, Parfum, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Argan Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Glycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, PEG-40, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Silicone Quaternium-18, Butylene Glycol, Trideceth-6, Trideceth-12, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Vanillin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin (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 ParfumPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysilicone-29 is a complex silicone polymer. It is also known as Silsoft™ CLX-E.
The manufacturer states this ingredient is a conditioning agent for hair care. The website states this ingredient can help hydrate and repair hair.
It is made up of glycidoxypropyl-terminated dimethyl siloxane polymer, peg-13 diglycidyl ether, diethylaminopropylamine, and aminopropyltriisopropoxysilane.
Learn more about Polysilicone-29Potassium 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 SorbateSilicone Quaternium-18 is a type of silicone.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWe don't have a description for Trideceth-6 yet.
Water. 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