What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantCentaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingC9-12 Alkane
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingIsocetyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientLeontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Sclerotium Gum, Betaine, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 42090, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohols, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cyanocobalamin, Parfum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientCentaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Cerasus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Squalane, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Prunus Cerasus Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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.Ā
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 preservativesĀ
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCentaurea Cyanus Flower Water is created using the cornflower, Centaurea cyanus. The cornflower is a blue flowering plant native to Europe.
Cornflowers contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains high amounts of anxiotidants such as Vitamin C. They also contain flavonoids and anthocyanins.
Cornflowers have been used in traditional European medicine to treat eye inflammation.
Fun fact: Cornflowers were used to determine if love was returned. Young men would wear cornflowers and if the color faded quickly, it meant the love was not reciprocated.
Learn more about Centaurea Cyanus Flower WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Ā
Itās often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water