What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Algae Extract
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientCera Microcristallina
Emulsion StabilisingLanolin Alcohol
EmollientCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasivePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Paraffin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingWater
Skin ConditioningBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDecyl Oleate
EmollientAluminum Distearate
Emulsion StabilisingOctyldodecanol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingAlgae Extract, Paraffinum Liquidum, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Cera Microcristallina, Lanolin Alcohol, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Sulfate, Paraffin, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Water, Beta-Carotene, Decyl Oleate, Aluminum Distearate, Octyldodecanol, Citric Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Magnesium Stearate, Panthenol, Zea Mays Oil, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasivePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingWhey Protein
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientPotassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingNiacinamide
SmoothingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingEryngium Maritimum Extract
TonicAcetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningMolasses Extract
Skin ConditioningDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingGold
Cosmetic ColorantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTourmaline
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Algin
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingLecithin
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativeParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCyclodextrin
AbsorbentIsododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Algae Extract, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Sucrose, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Whey Protein, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Glycosaminoglycans, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Niacinamide, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Adenosine Phosphate, Creatine, Molasses Extract, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Caffeine, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Jania Rubens Extract, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Gold, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Micrococcus Lysate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tourmaline, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Soy Amino Acids, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydrolyzed Algin, Faex Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Lecithin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Cyclodextrin, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Alcohol Denat., Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, CI 14700, CI 15985
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Algae Extract is a confusing name. This is because algae is an informal term for a group of 30,000 aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize.
The term 'algae extract' can refer to any one, or a blend of, the 30,000 types.
Algae is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Algae can also help with soothing and hydrating skin.
Many different types of algae have different benefits.
Learn more about Algae ExtractBenzyl Benzoate is usually created from the condensation of benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol. It is used as a preservative, solvent, and has a floral/balsamic scent in large amounts.
As a preservative, Benzyl Benzoate works against bacteria and fungus. It is often used to treat scabies and lice in medicine.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Due to its fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate can be sensitizing and may cause contact dermatitis. It is a known EU allergen. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Benzyl Benzoate can be naturally found in cranberries and peaches.
Learn more about Benzyl BenzoateThis ingredient is calcium salt of gluconic acid. It is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to your skin.
Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract is a fragrance.
This ingredient is a copper salt known for its wound healing properties.
Our bodies use copper to help stabilize our skin's collagen and elastin. Its also an essential for superoxide dismutase, an enzyme with strong antioxidant properties.
Copper has wound healing properties due to its role in creating new blood vessels and tissue repair.
Learn more about Copper GluconateThis oil is derived from the leaves of Eucalyptus Globulus, a type of Eucalyptus tree native to Australia.
Though this oil shows antibacterial and antioxidant activity, it is also a known skin-irritant due to its fragrance components.
Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seedcake is an exfoliant.
Hydroxycitronellal 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 LinaloolWe don't have a description for Magnesium Gluconate yet.
We don't have a description for Medicago Sativa Seed Powder yet.
Niacin is the other form of B3, with the other being niacinamide. The two have similar skin benefits: reducing inflammation, strengthening the skin barrier, and fading dark spots.
Parfum 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 ParfumPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal comes from the Sweet Almond tree. This sweet almond seed meal is the residue from expressing almond oil.
As an abrasive, it can help exfoliate the top layer of skin.
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil is the cold-pressed oil from sesame seeds.
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent made up of roughly 82-85% unsaturated fatty acids, mostly linoleic (~41%) and oleic acid (~39%).
This pairing gives it barrier-supporting and moisturizing properties. Linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid, can be incorporated into complex skin lipids. Topical application has shown barrier repair, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing effects in cell and animal studies.
Beyond fatty acids, sesame oil brings something more distinctive to the table:
It contains natural antioxidants sesamol, sesamolin, and gamma-tocopherol. These also give the oil notably high oxidative stability.
One of the oil's key lignans, sesamin, has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in preclinical models.
A 2023 clinical study found that a single application of sesame seed oil to the forearms of 35 healthy women improved stratum corneum hydration (though it didn't outperform raspberry seed oil).
The comedogenic rating of 1-3 depends on the type of sesame oil; unrefined carries a rating of 3 while refined sesame oil drops to a 1.
This ingredient may not be safe for fungal acne as it contains fatty acids that can feed Malassezia.
Learn more about Sesamum Indicum Seed OilWe don't have a description for Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder yet.
This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateTocopheryl Succinate is an antioxidant.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterZinc gluconate has antibacterial and wound healing properties. It is particularly effective against fighting inflammatory acne.
This ingredient is the zinc salt of the PHA gluconic acid. PHAs are gentle cousins to AHAs.