What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Stearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLauryl Alcohol
EmollientHoney Extract
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningMilk Protein Extract
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Myristyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Lauryl Alcohol, Honey Extract, Butylene Glycol, Propolis Extract, Milk Protein Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCyclomethicone
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientAcanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingGrifola Frondosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningFomes Officinalis Extract
Skin ProtectingSarcodon Aspratus Extract
AntioxidantTrametes Versicolor Extract
Inonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningAgaricus Blazei Extract
Skin ConditioningTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningPropolis Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeArginine
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Cyclomethicone, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Betaine, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Panax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Grifola Frondosa Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Sarcodon Aspratus Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Agaricus Blazei Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Propolis Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dimethicone, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Arginine, Carbomer, Panthenol, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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 GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParaffinum Liquidum is a highly-refined cosmetic-grade mineral oil. It is also known as liquid paraffin.
Despite its controversial reputation, the science is pretty clear: it's one of the most well-studied and effective moisturizing ingredients out there.
As an occlusive, it forms a protective layer on the skin that locks in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This makes it especially great for compromised skin barriers.
The "it clogs your pores" myth has been around for decades; a study found that industrial-grade mineral oil may be comedogenic but cosmetic-grade mineral oil is not (these two are very, very different).
A 2017 review concluded that cosmetic use of mineral oils and waxes does not present a risk to consumers due to absorption.
Mineral oil got a bad rap from the old rabbit ear studies. When tested on actual human skin, cosmetic-grade mineral oil showed no comedogenic activity. The rating of 0 is a correction of outdated science.
Mineral oil is an inert substance with no fatty acids so there's nothing to feed Malassezia. This ingredient is fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Paraffinum LiquidumParfum 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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Propolis Extract is a natural ingredient derived from propolis (also known as bee glue). Bees make propolis by mixing their saliva and beeswax with resins collected from tree buds and plants.
This ingredient is packed with bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolic acids, and amino acids that give it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Research shows it can help:
It also pairs nicely with hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides.
Just so you know, Propolis Extract is recognized as a contact allergen. In patch tests done in the EU, roughly 1-6% of patients react to it. Be sure to steer clear of this ingredient if you have a known allergy to bee products.
Since it is an animal-derived product, this ingredient is not considered vegan. For vegan alternatives, check out Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate or Centella Asiatica Extract.
Learn more about Propolis ExtractWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum