What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 7%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
EmulsifyingJojoba Esters
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Steareth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingParfum
MaskingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Water, Glycerin, Silica, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Jojoba Esters, Tocopherol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Cyclodextrin, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Pisum Sativum Extract, Adenosine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Titanium Dioxide, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Steareth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Limonene, CI 17200, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-20 Stearate
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPalmitic Acid
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientGuanosine
Skin ConditioningMica
Cosmetic ColorantSecale Cereale Seed Extract
AbrasiveSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Polyacrylamide
Dimethiconol
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantTin Oxide
AbrasiveBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingMyristic Acid
CleansingGeraniol
PerfumingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingWater, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-20 Stearate, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Stearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Palmitic Acid, Octyldodecanol, CI 77891, CI 16035, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Guanosine, Mica, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Caffeine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyacrylamide, Dimethiconol, Limonene, Pentylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tin Oxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Myristic Acid, Geraniol, Laureth-7, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineBenzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCapryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.
Geraniol 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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract yet.
Limonene 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 “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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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