What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Corn Starch Modified
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Seed Extract
BufferingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ceteareth-33
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Polyaminopropyl Biguanide
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Corn Starch Modified, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium PCA, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Ceteareth-33, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Phytate, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Citronellol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Coumarin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Silica
Abrasive
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Xylitol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate
Surfactant
Parfum
Masking
Aminopropyl Dimethicone
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDipeptide-15
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingOryza Sativa Germ Oil
Emollient
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
Perfuming
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicOryzanol
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPerilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract
TonicBenzoic Acid
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Silica, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Xylitol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Butylene Glycol, PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate, Parfum, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Citrate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dipeptide-15, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sorbitan Oleate, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Metaphosphate, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil, CI 77891, Limonene, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Linalool, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, CI 77492, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Oryzanol, Camellia Japonica Seed Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Benzoic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is an organic acid that shows up in cosmetics as a preservative. It helps keep a product from spoiling by holding back the growth of yeast, mold, and some bacteria.
This ingredient also functions as a fragrance ingredient that helps mask the unpleasant scent of other ingredients.
The way it works is worth understanding; benzoic acid works when the formula is acidic. It is able to sneak into a microbe's cell and mess up how it functions to stop it from growing in an acidic product.
However, the acid switches to an inactive form and stops working if a product isn't acidic enough (above ~5 pH). This is why you'll often see it in low pH products or teamed up with other preservatives to cover the gap.
Safety wise, it's one of the better studied preservatives out there.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%.
A large international review found this ingredient had no effects on the human body and had low irritation potential.
Just so you know, real world use is usually much lower than the 5% ceiling (usually 1% of less).
The EU caps it at 2.5% in rinse-off products, 1.7% in oral care, and 0.5% in leave-on products.
One thing worth mentioning (it's nothing to worry about): some people get a little stinging or flushing where they apply it. This isn't a true allergy; it's a temporary and harmless reaction. This is the same kind of mild tingle you might notice from sorbic acid.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool 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.
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 60Tocopherol 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 TocopherolWater. 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
