What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingMyristyl Myristate
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
CI 77163
Cosmetic ColorantBixa Orellana Seed Oil
EmollientGuanosine
Skin ConditioningCyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentTocopherol
AntioxidantMica
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSchizandra Sphenanthera Fruit Extract
AntioxidantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPolyvinyl Alcohol
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLimonene
PerfumingSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Mannitol
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTin Oxide
AbrasiveLinalool
PerfumingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCinnamic Acid
PerfumingIsohexadecane
EmollientIsobutane
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylonitrile/Methyl Methacrylate/Vinylidene Chloride Copolymer
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGeraniol
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Citronellol
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingLevulinic Acid
PerfumingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate, Octyldodecanol, PEG-40 Stearate, Myristyl Myristate, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, CI 77163, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Guanosine, Cyathea Medullaris Leaf Extract, Zea Mays Starch, Tocopherol, Mica, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Levulinate, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine, Schizandra Sphenanthera Fruit Extract, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 80, Maltodextrin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Limonene, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mannitol, Benzyl Alcohol, Tin Oxide, Linalool, Xanthan Gum, Cinnamic Acid, Isohexadecane, Isobutane, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitan Tristearate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Acrylonitrile/Methyl Methacrylate/Vinylidene Chloride Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Geraniol, Disodium EDTA, Citronellol, Citric Acid, Levulinic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingMethylpropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantRibose
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPalmitoyl Grape Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenylpropanol
MaskingSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingSodium Phytate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, Ribose, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract, Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenylpropanol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Sorbitan Isostearate, Parfum, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hydroxide, Geraniol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGeraniol 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumSodium 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 is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water