What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Farnesene
EmollientCassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningBrassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingMethyl Ionones
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Farnesene, Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cymbidium Grandiflorum Flower Extract, Panthenol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Lemon Protein, Cetearyl Olivate, Tocopherol, Sorbitan Olivate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aspartic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool, Methyl Ionones
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingIsopentyldiol
HumectantPropylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantOryza Sativa Seed Water
AntimicrobialNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCaffeine
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingBakuchiol
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantPisum Sativum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantMaltitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantPelvetia Canaliculata Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Quinoa
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Isopentyldiol, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Sodium Polyaspartate, Xylitylglucoside, Oryza Sativa Seed Water, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Biotin, Caffeine, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Bakuchiol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Pisum Sativum Seed Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Maltitol, Xylitol, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Coumarin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 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