What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
PEG/PPG-15/15 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingKeratin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantLaurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSchinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Keratin Pg-Propylmethylsilanediol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientCocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentAleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningThioctic Acid
AntioxidantGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingC10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPolyquaternium-11
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Polysilicone-19
Glycerin
HumectantPolyquaternium-55
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, PEG/PPG-15/15 Dimethicone, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Avena Sativa Peptide, Arginine Hcl, Arginine, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin Pg-Propylmethylsilanediol, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phosphatidylcholine, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Thioctic Acid, Glycolipids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, C10-40 Isoalkylamidopropylethyldimonium Ethosulfate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-11, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polysilicone-19, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-55, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Coumarin, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantGelatin
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningEthyl Hexanediol
SolventSilk Powder
Skin ConditioningKeratin Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningSilkworm Cocoon Extract
HumectantMilk Protein Extract
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycine
BufferingSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantAspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantFucoidan
AntioxidantMethylpropanediol
SolventClimbazole
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentFlower Extract
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCoral Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Oleate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Gelatin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Silk Powder, Keratin Amino Acids, Silkworm Cocoon Extract, Milk Protein Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Hydrolyzed Silk, Butylene Glycol, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Proline, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Glucose, Fucoidan, Methylpropanediol, Climbazole, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Coral Extract, Parfum
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Ā
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesĀ
You may know this ingredient as argan oil. It has emollient and skin conditioning properties that help soften skin and reinforce the lipid barrier.
The fatty acid profile of argan oil is roughly 45-55% oleic acid, 28-36% linoleic acid, 10-15% palmitic acid, and 5-7% stearic acid. It also contains vitamin E, sterols, squalene, and polyphenols like ferulic acid.
Two clinical studies in postmenopausal women found that applying argan oil for 60 days significantly improved skin elasticity and moisturization (reduced transepidermal water loss and increased epidermal water content).
Since it is high in oleic and linoleic acid, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Both of these fall in the C11-C24 range that Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Argania Spinosa Kernel OilArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumWater. 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