What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingTriethylhexanoin
MaskingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingSesamum 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 ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
CleansingNarcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
AstringentCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialMimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningEryngium Maritimum Extract
TonicBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
AntioxidantLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
AntioxidantLinolenic Acid
CleansingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAlcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsododecane
EmollientHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
CleansingMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningTourmaline
Glycosaminoglycans
EmollientSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningTartaric Acid
BufferingTetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBis-Stearyl Dimethicone
EmollientLaureth-12
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLecithin
EmollientHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCyclodextrin
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveCitric Acid
BufferingGlutathione
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Disodium EDTA
BHT
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Algae Extract, Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 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, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Adenosine Phosphate, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Creatine, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Lactis Proteinum, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Linolenic Acid, Caffeine, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Gold, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Acetyl Glucosamine, Linoleic Acid, Micrococcus Lysate, Tourmaline, Glycosaminoglycans, Soy Amino Acids, Butylene Glycol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Yeast Extract, Trisiloxane, Tartaric Acid, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Dextrin, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Laureth-12, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Cyclodextrin, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Citric Acid, Glutathione, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, CI 61570
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycolic Acid
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientGlucose
HumectantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingCereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
AntioxidantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycolic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Glucose, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Adenosine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Caramel, Limonene, Parfum
Alternatives
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.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
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 if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
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.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 āFRAGRANCEā or āPARFUMā 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 ParfumPotassium 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 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 HydroxideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinās lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum