What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
C13-16 Isoalkane
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyacrylamide
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Iris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Dimethicone, C13-16 Isoalkane, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Coumarin, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Limonene, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Citric Acid, CI 19140, CI 14700, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclomethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Polyquaternium-70
Polyquaternium-11
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 26100
Cosmetic ColorantCI 47000
Cosmetic ColorantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Water, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Parfum, Behentrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-70, Polyquaternium-11, Steareth-2, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Tilia Tomentosa Bud Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Citric Acid, Oleth-10, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 26100, CI 47000, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Benzoate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance. It can be synthetically created or naturally occurring.
The scent of Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is described as "flowery" but can also be "woody".
Naturally occurring Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone may be found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the yeast used to make wine and bread.
The term '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.
Learn more about Alpha-Isomethyl IononeCitric 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 AcidDimethicone 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 GlycerinHydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
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
