What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingButyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract
EmollientXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingXylitol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasivePsidium Guajava Fruit Extract
AstringentRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentTetrasodium EDTA
Glycolic Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
BufferingSempervivum Tectorum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, C14-22 Alcohols, Butyrospermum Parkii Nut Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Carbomer, Beta-Sitosterol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Parfum, Xylitol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Saccharide Isomerate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lactic Acid, Sempervivum Tectorum Extract, Sodium Chloride, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientTriethylhexanoin
MaskingBetaine
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Phytate
Sorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSqualane
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Triethylhexanoin, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lecithin, Polysorbate 60, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
Caprylyl 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Parfum 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 ParfumPolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Sorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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