What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterMethylpropanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCrocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylparaben
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeWater, Glycerin, Diisopropyl Sebacate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Distarch Phosphate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Tocopherol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Phosphate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Coumarin, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben
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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is made up of Benzoic Acid and long chain alcohols. It has a low molecular weight.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Due to its solubility, it is often used in sunscreens to help evenly distribute active ingredients.
As an emollient, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate helps soften and hydrate your skin. Emollients create a film on your skin that traps moisture within.
This ingredient has been reported to cause eye irritation.
Learn more about C12-15 Alkyl BenzoateCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeDimethylmethoxy Chromanol is an antioxidant.
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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateGlyceryl Stearate Citrate is a citric acid ester of glyceryl stearate.
It is an emulsifier, emollient, and a surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating. Common ingredients include oils and water, which do not mix naturally. Emulsifiers have properties that help keep ingredients such as these together.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Surfactants help gather oils, dirt, and other pollutants from the skin. This helps them to be easily rinsed away.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate CitrateHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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.
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 Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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