What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-3 Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPCA Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningYeast Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Trimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PCA Dimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Propanediol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Gluconolactone, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Yeast Ferment Extract, Tocopherol, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ectoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTaurine
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningBioflavonoids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Pentylene Glycol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Ectoin, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Taurine, Caprylyl Glycol, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Bioflavonoids, Glycine Soja Oil, Retinol, Tocopherol, BHT, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Reviews
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.
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 preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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 ParfumPropanediol 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 PropanediolTocopherol 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 TocopherolTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. 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