Kiehl's Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream Versus Origins A Perfect World SPF 40 Age Defense Moisturizer with White Tea
This calming moisturizer is formulated around Panthenol and Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract to calm redness and hydrate skin.
This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and Ergothioneine to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Calendula Officinalis Flower
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantGeranium Maculatum Oil
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Farnesol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
Masking
Artemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Panthenol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Chlorphenesin, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Sodium Citrate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Limonene, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Linalool, Tocopherol, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Artemisia Absinthium Extract
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 8%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil
Masking
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Magnolia Acuminata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningIris Pallida Root Extract
Masking
Rosa Damascena Extract
MaskingCitral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
PEG-6
HumectantVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentSolanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPassiflora Incarnata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLeontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Lythrum Salicaria Extract
AstringentFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientOryzanol
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
Humectant
Steareth-21
CleansingErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Nylon-12
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Urea
Buffering
Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
BHT
Antioxidant
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 8%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Octocrylene 5%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyethylene, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Magnolia Acuminata Flower Extract, Iris Pallida Root Extract, Rosa Damascena Extract, Citral, Linalool, Limonene, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-6, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Flower Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Lythrum Salicaria Extract, Faex Extract, Algae Extract, Oryzanol, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trehalose, Steareth-21, Ergothioneine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Nylon-12, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium PCA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Urea, Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Hexylene Glycol, Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, BHT, Mica, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralCitric 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 AcidCitrus Limon Peel Oil is created from the peels of the lemon. It is used to add a lemon-scent to products. Lemon peel oil also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. However, it may also cause phototoxicity and sensitize skin.
Lemon peel oil contains limonene, a skin sensitizing ingredient. Another component is furanocoumarin, which induces phototoxicity in skin.
Furanocoumarins bind and destabilize your DNA to increase the rate of sunburn.
Most reputable companies will remove furanocoumarins from their formulations.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Peel OilGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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
