What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPolyamide-5
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
HumectantUrea
BufferingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingDimethiconol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium PCA
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingVernonia Appendiculata Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingPotassium Gluconate
Skin ProtectingMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningManganese Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Silicate
AbsorbentPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Salicylate
PreservativeMethylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Cyclopentasiloxane, Polyamide-5, Squalane, Dimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Urea, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein, Glycine, Tromethamine, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium PCA, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa Starch, Panthenol, Pyridoxine Hcl, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lactate, Vernonia Appendiculata Leaf Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Parfum, Potassium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Manganese Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Silicate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 77891, CI 14700, CI 17200
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolymethyl Acrylate
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSucrose Palmitate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Linoleate
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oleosomes
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed
AbrasiveBiosaccharide Gum-1
HumectantSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingLevulinic Acid
PerfumingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucose
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingP-Anisic Acid
MaskingMagnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantLysine Hcl
Skin ConditioningArginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingHistidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingTyrosine
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSerine
MaskingCystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingOrnithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningNicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Coenzyme A
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Acetate
Skin ConditioningInositol
HumectantNiacin
SmoothingNiacinamide
SmoothingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantThiamine Hcl
MaskingEthylhexyl Palmitate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate/Tetracaprate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Polymethyl Acrylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sucrose Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Chlorphenesin, Sorbitan Oleate, Glyceryl Linoleate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oleosomes, Sesamum Indicum Seed, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sorbitan Laurate, Levulinic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Glucose, Sodium Hydroxide, P-Anisic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Tocopherol, Lysine Hcl, Arginine Hcl, Alanine, Histidine Hcl, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Polysorbate 80, Serine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Glutathione, Asparagine, Ornithine Hcl, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Proline, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine Hcl, Coenzyme A, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hcl, Biotin, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hcl
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPyridoxine hydrochloride, also known as vitamin B6, has skin conditioning properties. According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is an effective anti-dandruff treatment as it reduces sebum levels and oily spots.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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 Tocopherol