What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLecithin
EmollientUbiquinone
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Cetearyl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHexyl Laurate
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventAlcohol
AntimicrobialSorbitol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialBenzoic Acid
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBHT
AntioxidantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Ubiquinone, Propylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexyl Laurate, Ascorbic Acid, Parfum, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Oleate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Propanediol, Alcohol, Sorbitol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol Denat., Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDiheptyl Succinate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialEchinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeJojoba Esters
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Tocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingBenzoic Acid
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Diheptyl Succinate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Jojoba Esters, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Eugenol, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.
The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.
In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.
The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.
Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.
Learn more about Benzoic AcidCitric 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 AcidDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinGlycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilParfum 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 ParfumPersea Gratissima Oil is also known as avocado oil.
Avocado Oil has antioxidant properties. It is mostly made up of the glycerides of fatty acids. About 67% of these fatty acids is made up of oleic acid. Palmitic acid and linoleic acid are also present.
These fatty acids help hydrate and soften the skin. It may increase collagen content in the skin. Collagen helps keep your skin plump and firm. This ingredient helps reduce inflammation and has not shown to clog pores.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe due to its high fatty acid content.
Avocados also have B vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, and potassium.
Learn more about Persea Gratissima OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolSodium 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 skin’s 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 Water