What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIsohexadecane
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingAcrylonitrile/Methyl Methacrylate/Vinylidene Chloride Copolymer
Mannitol
HumectantMethylparaben
PreservativeAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialStearyl Alcohol
EmollientMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
CI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingIsobutane
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingIris Florentina Root Extract
MaskingVigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingTin Oxide
AbrasiveBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingDisodium Succinate
MaskingWater, Squalane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-40 Stearate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Myristyl Myristate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Octyldodecanol, Sorbitan Tristearate, Butylene Glycol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891, Isohexadecane, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Acrylonitrile/Methyl Methacrylate/Vinylidene Chloride Copolymer, Mannitol, Methylparaben, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Mica, Polysorbate 80, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, CI 77163, CI 77491, Hydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Isobutane, Sodium Hydroxide, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Faex Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Disodium Succinate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin ConditioningMyreth-3 Myristate
EmollientIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientSynthetic Wax
AbrasiveTin Oxide
AbrasivePEG-100 Stearate
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
PEG-Crosspolymer
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Myreth-3 Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Wax, Tin Oxide, PEG-100 Stearate, CI 17200, CI 15985, CI 77891, Stearyl Alcohol, Mica, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Sorbitol, Glyceryl Stearate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Myristyl Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Biotin, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateMica is a naturally occurring mineral used to add shimmer and color in cosmetics. It can also help improve the texture of a product or give it an opaque, white/silver color.
Serecite is the name for very fine but ragged grains of mica.
This ingredient is often coated with metal oxides like titanium dioxide. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.
Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.
Learn more about MicaMyristyl Alcohol is type of fatty alcohol. It is a white, waxy solid and insoluble in water.
As an emollient, it hydrates the skin by trapping moisture in.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols.
Learn more about Myristyl AlcoholOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol. It is primarily used to enhance the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, Octyldodecanol helps prevent the oils and waters from separating. It also prevents ingredients from creating foam when shaken.
Octyldodecanol is created by reducing fatty acid to an alcohol.
Due to its high molecular weight, it does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about OctyldodecanolParfum 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 ParfumPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate is an emollient that helps make your skin smooth and hydrated. It specializes in creating a non-oily and "wet" feeling on skin.
This ingredient comes from isostearic acid, a saturated fatty acid. It is a synthetic ingredient.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholTin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.
Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water