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
HumectantGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Stearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingDimethiconol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
PreservativePEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Polysorbate 80
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Propylparaben
PreservativeSodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate
EmulsifyingEthylparaben
PreservativeSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingAcanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-7
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningMethylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingMethicone
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Methylparaben, PEG-100 Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysorbate 80, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Ethylparaben, Sorbitan Oleate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Acanthopanax Senticosus Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Polyquaternium-7, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Methylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate, Methicone, CI 77891, CI 77492
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholThis ingredient is also known as shea butter. It is a plant-derived extract from the nuts of the Africa shea tree and one of the most well-studied emollients.
Because it has a high concentration of fatty acids (primarily oleic, stearic, and linoleic) it is able to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This helps seal in moisture and prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In vitro research found an increase in skin hydration by 58% and a decrease in TEWL by 37.8% after 24 hours of applying this ingredient (pretty impressive for a single ingredient!).
Besides hydration, shea butter also contains triterpenes that have anti-inflammatory potential. In particule, lupeol cinnamate has shown the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
Shea butter also contains vitamins A and E which may contribute to antioxidant activity.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe because its fatty acids fall within the C11-C24 range that the Malassezia yeast can metabolize.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. It is a primary fatty alcohol with a chain length above 12 carbons. A study from 2019 show Malassezia can feed on fatty alcohols in this range, so it may trigger fungal acne in those prone to it.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecaneParfum 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 ParfumPolysorbate 80 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
It reduces the surface tension between oil and water phases to help them stay mixed and stable in a formulation. In other words, it prevents your formulas from separating into an oily mess.
The CIR Expert Panel has evaluated the scientific data and found this ingredient to be safe, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing at concentrations up to 5% (it's even approved by the FDA as an OTC eye drop ingredient).
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Sodium 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 HydroxideSorbitan Oleate is a PEG-free emulsifier made by esterifying sorbitol with oleic acid.
You'll likely see it paired with Polysorbate 80 to create the right emulsification balance.
Typical use levels in formulas range from 2-10%.
The CIR Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as a cosmetic ingredient.
Since this ingredient is an ester of oleic acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. Oleic acid is a fatty acid that falls into the C11-24 range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateWater. 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