What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Homosalate
Skin Conditioning
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pearl Extract
Antioxidant
Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Sea Water
HumectantUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Codium Fragile Extract
Skin ConditioningCeteth-10
EmulsifyingTromethamine
BufferingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
2-Methylpropanol
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Dibutyl Adipate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Polysilicone-15, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Pearl Extract, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Sea Water, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Codium Fragile Extract, Ceteth-10, Tromethamine, Decyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, 2-Methylpropanol
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin Conditioning
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Octocrylene
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Octanediol
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Water, Homosalate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Silica, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Parfum, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium EDTA, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Octanediol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
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
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
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.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateParfum 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
