What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientSea Water
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParfum
MaskingTromethamine
BufferingStearic Acid
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantLinalool
PerfumingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingMagnesium Sulfate
Hexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCalcium Chloride
AstringentBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingManganese Sulfate
Skin ConditioningBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientBrassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
HumectantNasturtium Officinale Extract
PerfumingLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Saccharide Isomerate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Sea Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum, Tromethamine, Stearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hyaluronic Acid, Linalool, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Calcium Chloride, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Manganese Sulfate, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Tocopherol, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Lecithin, Zinc Sulfate, Glycine Soja Oil, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside
Water
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientXylitol
HumectantParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Betaine
HumectantBetula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingLactic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingMalic Acid
BufferingTartaric Acid
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
AntioxidantCornus Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Sea Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tromethamine, Polysorbate 60, Carbomer, Ethyl Hexanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xylitol, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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 GlycolCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Caprylate comes from glycerin and caprylic acid, a fatty acid from coconut. It has emollient and emulsifier properties.
As an emollient, it helps hydrate your skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier on your skin to trap moisture in, helping to keep your skin soft and smooth.
On the other hand, emulsifiers prevent ingredients (such as oil and water) from separating.
Learn more about Glyceryl CaprylateHyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidParfum 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 ParfumPhenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.
Phenyl Trimethicone is used as an emollient and prevents products from foaming.
As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. It is considered an occlusive.
Learn more about Phenyl TrimethiconeTromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. 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.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water