What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLimonene
PerfumingPolymethyl Methacrylate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingThymol Trimethoxycinnamate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Methyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Limonene, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Parfum, Thymol Trimethoxycinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Citrate, Linalool, Tocopherol, Madecassoside, Citral, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSerine
MaskingSorbitol
HumectantDimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingPistacia Lentiscus Gum
MaskingLecithin
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningStellaria Media Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract
AntioxidantEquisetum Arvense Leaf Extract
AstringentUrtica Dioica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingNepeta Cataria Extract
TonicRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningBaptisia Tinctoria Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Sodium Citrate
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantifolia Oil
CleansingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Diglycerin, Trehalose, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Panthenol, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Serine, Sorbitol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Lecithin, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Stellaria Media Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Nepeta Cataria Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Citral is a fragrance and used to add a lemon-like scent to products. It is both naturally found in plants and created synthetically. In plants, it is commonly occurring in lemon myrtle, lemongrass, lemon tea-tree, lemon verbena, and other citruses.
The EU mandates Citral be listed separately as a fragrance. It is a known allergen and may cause contact dermatitis. Citral can also used as a masking ingredient.
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.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
Learn more about CitralEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol (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