What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingDimethicone
Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Betula Alba Bark Extract
Masking
Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Ethyl Olivate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
MaskingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol, Triethylhexanoin, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Ethyl Olivate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Sodium Chloride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethiconol
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Diethyl Sebacate
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningZein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Gamma-Docosalactone
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethiconol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, PEG-20 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Alcohol, Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Diethyl Sebacate, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Keratin, Zein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Gamma-Docosalactone
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateDimethicone 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 DimethiconeParfum 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.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinWater. 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
