What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPvp
Emulsion StabilisingZymomonas Ferment Extract
HumectantAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantParfum
MaskingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningMel
EmollientPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSteareth-20
CleansingO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialAdenosine
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAdenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Oat Protein
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingLecithin
EmollientEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantArtemisia Umbelliformis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingChlorhexidine Digluconate
AntimicrobialDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingWine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDipeptide-2
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningDna
Skin ConditioningLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingTriticum Vulgare Germ Protein
EmollientPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Pvp, Zymomonas Ferment Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Parfum, Polyglycerin-3, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Mel, Polysorbate 80, Steareth-20, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Adenosine, Maltodextrin, Adenosine Triphosphate, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Niacinamide, Lecithin, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Artemisia Umbelliformis Flower Extract, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Wine, Potassium Sorbate, Dipeptide-2, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Dna, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Triticum Vulgare Germ Protein, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Polysorbate 20, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ceramide EOP, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Oil
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlcohol
AntimicrobialLecithin
EmollientCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveOctyldodecyl Oleate
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGlycerin
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPEG-100 Stearate
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
EmollientSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningEscin
TonicSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Extract
AstringentPolyhydroxystearic Acid
EmulsifyingOctyldodecanol
EmollientPotassium Phosphate
BufferingBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPlumeria Rubra Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWine
Skin ConditioningAmethyst Powder
AbrasiveMoonstone Powder
Skin ConditioningQuartz
AbrasiveRuby Powder
Skin ConditioningSolanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSuccinic Acid
BufferingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycereth-26, Triheptanoin, Maltodextrin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Lecithin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Stearate, Silica, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Benzyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Caffeine, PEG-100 Stearate, Carbomer, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Escin, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Potassium Phosphate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Plumeria Alba Flower Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Parfum, Wine, Amethyst Powder, Moonstone Powder, Quartz, Ruby Powder, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Succinic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
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.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholThis ingredient is also known as tara gum or Peruvian carob. It is a thickening and stabilizing ingredient derived from seeds of the Tara tree.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Chondrus Crispus Extract comes from a red algae native to the northern Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. It helps hydrate the skin and is rich in antioxidants.
The antioxidants in chondrus crispus include lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein has the ability to filter blue light from screens.
Other contents of chondrus crispus include polysaccharides, peptides, and amino acids. These help hydrate the skin.
What's the difference between algae and seaweed?
Algae is a broad term that includes seaweed. Not all algae is seaweed.
Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinLimonene 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 LinaloolMaltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinParfum 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 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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 WaterWe don't have a description for Wine yet.