What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Salicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningOyster Extract
Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Glycine Max Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhonolite
AbsorbentMorus Alba Extract
AstringentLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Sea Water
HumectantHumus Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Camphor
Masking
Quaternium-33
Cholesterol
Emollient
Dicocoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Trilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Menthol
Masking
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Iron Oxides
Water, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Oyster Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Glycine Max Seed Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Phonolite, Morus Alba Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sea Water, Humus Extract, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Camphor, Quaternium-33, Cholesterol, Dicocoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Glyceryl Stearate, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Polysorbate 80, Menthol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Parfum, Iron Oxides
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Menthol
Masking
Camphor
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Limus Extract
Skin ConditioningMolasses Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
O-Cymen-5-Ol, Menthol, Camphor, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alcohol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Coptis Japonica Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Limus Extract, Molasses Extract, Sea Water, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Soluble Collagen, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Alternatives
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 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 GlycolCamphor is a waxy solid with a strong scent. It is made using turpentine oil.
This ingredient is used for medicinal purposes due to its cooling effect. In medicine, camphor is a common anti-inflammation ingredient.
Camphor also possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties.
One study found camphor to be a potential anti-wrinkle ingredient. This might be due to its ability to increase elastin and collagen production. Collagen and elastin are responsible for plump and youthful looking skin.
It is best to use cosmetics with a small amount of camphor under 11%. Using topical camphor may induce irritation and redness.
In the past, camphor was traditionally made by distilling the wood of the camphor tree.
Learn more about CamphorMenthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholParfum 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.
Water. 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
