What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantTribehenin
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingC20-24 Alkyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsostearic Acid
CleansingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientMicrocrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
EmollientAcetyl Cyclohexapeptide-34
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
HumectantBacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientCarnosine
Skin ConditioningDecarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Caprylyl Methicone, Xylitol, Tribehenin, PEG-40 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, C20-24 Alkyl Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isostearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Microcrystalline Wax, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Carbomer, Squalane, Acetyl Cyclohexapeptide-34, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Soluble Collagen, Bacillus Ferment, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Carnosine, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ferulic Acid, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Zea Mays Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Caramel, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
MaskingCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin ProtectingUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningViola Mandshurica Flower Extract
AntioxidantVinyldimethicone
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Butylene Glycol
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantEctoin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrochloric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Vinyldimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Phytate, Butylene Glycol, Dextrin, Ascorbic Acid, Ectoin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrochloric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Parfum
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
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum