What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Algae Extract
EmollientBis-PEG-12 Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sucrose
Humectant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
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 ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningAsparagopsis Armata Extract
Skin ProtectingSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientGlucose
Humectant
Porphyridium Cruentum Extract
Skin ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Maris Sal
Skin ConditioningCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Trehalose
Humectant
Lactoperoxidase
StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Glycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingGlucose Oxidase
StabilisingLinolenic Acid
Cleansing
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Glycosaminoglycans
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Tourmaline
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Sorbitol
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol, Glycerin, Algae Extract, Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, 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, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Glucose, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Squalane, Cholesterol, Caffeine, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Maris Sal, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Plankton Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trehalose, Lactoperoxidase, Dimethicone, Lecithin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycine Soja Protein, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Glucose Oxidase, Linolenic Acid, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Yeast Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Bisabolol, Glycosaminoglycans, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium PCA, Tourmaline, Linoleic Acid, Sorbitol, Urea, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-51, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol Denat., Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Amyl Cinnamal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Limonene, Coumarin, Linalool, CI 42090, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Aquatica Extract
TonicIris Ensata Extract
Skin ConditioningFaex Extract
Skin ConditioningMalt Extract
Skin ProtectingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Viola Tricolor Extract
EmollientCryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Gum Extract
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Thymus Mastichina Flower Oil
Skin Conditioning
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
EDTA
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Alcohol Denat., Saccharide Isomerate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Mentha Aquatica Extract, Iris Ensata Extract, Faex Extract, Malt Extract, Adenosine, Viola Tricolor Extract, Cryptomeria Japonica Bud Extract, Hydrolyzed Ceratonia Siliqua Gum Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Thymus Mastichina Flower Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, EDTA, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol
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.Dimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 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 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 LinaloolPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTocopheryl 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 Acetate
