What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polysilicone-11
PEG-100 Stearate
PEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Mukul Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPelvetia Canaliculata Extract
Skin ProtectingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Jania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Crithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningEryngium Maritimum Extract
TonicDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Yeast Polysaccharides
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tourmaline
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningAlcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Laureth-23
Cleansing
Glycosaminoglycans
EmollientLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Hydrolyzed Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Sucrose
Humectant
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Talc
Abrasive
Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingGold
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Polyethylene
Abrasive
Methicone
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
PEG-8
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Propylene Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientParfum
Masking
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Algae Extract, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polysilicone-11, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 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, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Lactis Proteinum, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Pelvetia Canaliculata Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Yeast Polysaccharides, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Caffeine, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Laureth-4, Yeast Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Tourmaline, Linolenic Acid, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Laureth-23, Glycosaminoglycans, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Hydrolyzed Beta-Glucan, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linoleic Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sorbitol, Sucrose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Talc, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Gold, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Polyethylene, Methicone, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Cyclodextrin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, PEG-8, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Propylene Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Parfum, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, Alcohol Denat., Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides
Emollient
Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Maleate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Glycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentCaviar Extract
Skin ConditioningCaulerpa Lentillifera Extract
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Rna
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dna
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pullulan
Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Tetrapeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyisobutene
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Steareth-20
CleansingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientSucrose Stearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Oleate
CleansingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Chrysin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Maleate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glycoproteins, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Caviar Extract, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Ceramide NP, Rna, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Dna, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Pullulan, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Tetrapeptide-3, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biotin, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Steareth-20, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Oleate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Chrysin, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 19140, CI 16035
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitronellol 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 CitronellolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGeraniol 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobuteneLinalool 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.
This ingredient is a preservative with antimicrobial properties. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid.
It is especially effective at preventing bacterial and fungal growth in low concentrations.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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
