What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Amodimethicone
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Hydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningEthanolamine
BufferingTrideceth-6
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-37
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
EDTA
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Behentrimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Amodimethicone, CI 17200, CI 19140, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Hydroxycitronellal, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Ethanolamine, Trideceth-6, Polyquaternium-37, Limonene, Linalool, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, EDTA, Hexyl Cinnamal, Glycolic Acid, Parfum
Isododecane
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-14 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Polyacrylamide
Limonene
Perfuming
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Isoeugenol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Isododecane, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Dimethiconol, Glycerin, PEG-14 Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Urea, CI 77891, CI 17200, CI 19140, Hydroxycitronellal, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylamide, Limonene, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tin Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Isoeugenol, Citronellol, Citral, Laureth-7, Hexyl Cinnamal, Glycolic Acid, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ci 17200 is a synthetic reddish-purple dye.
CI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits.
It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability.
Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge.
AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently.
Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs.
Overall, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally.
To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin).
The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness:
It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts.
Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin.
If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead.
Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalHydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Limonene 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.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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
