What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventOlus Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBetaine
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveAvena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
EmollientHydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides
EmollientHydrolyzed Soybean Fiber
Skin ProtectingLactic Acid
BufferingLecithin
EmollientLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
PerfumingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingPinus Heldreichii Bark Extract
AntioxidantSesamum Indicum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Olus Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Cellulose Gum, Citric Acid, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Hydrolyzed Soybean Fiber, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Pinus Heldreichii Bark Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Silica, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantOleth-20
CleansingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAroma
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantThioctic Acid
AntioxidantCalcium Ascorbate
AntioxidantSodium Phosphate
BufferingSorbitol
HumectantCitrus Grandis Seed Extract
AstringentSodium Benzoate
MaskingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEuphrasia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTriacetin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Oleth-20, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Parfum, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aroma, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Disodium Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Thioctic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Sodium Phosphate, Sorbitol, Citrus Grandis Seed Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Triacetin, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, CI 15985
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinLinalool 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.
Potassium 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 SorbateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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