What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningElaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Nylon-12
Parfum
Masking
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Papaver Somniferum Seed Oil
Emollient
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
PEG-75 Stearate
Surfactant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder
Abrasive
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ceteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tromethamine
BufferingTeprenone
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cycnoches Cooperi Flower/Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Geraniol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Amyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Tropolone
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-51 Amide
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Nylon-12, Parfum, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Papaver Somniferum Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, PEG-75 Stearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Powder, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tromethamine, Teprenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cycnoches Cooperi Flower/Leaf Extract, Propylene Glycol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Amyl Cinnamal, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate, Tropolone, Potassium Sorbate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-51 Amide, Sodium Hydroxide, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Isocetyl Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Mannitol
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-6 Laurate
Emulsifying
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Sucrose Dilaurate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Myristyl Glucoside
CleansingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSucrose Palmitate
EmollientGlycogen
HumectantPullulan
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Isohexadecane
EmollientLysolecithin
EmulsifyingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Linoleate
Emollient
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingBorago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hexamidine Diisethionate
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Trihydroxystearin
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glucose
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Chloride
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Phytic Acid
Squalene
Emollient
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Calcium Chloride
AstringentBHA
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Sulfate
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingCI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetate
BufferingLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Arginine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Alanine
Masking
Histidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningThreonine
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningTryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningSerine
Masking
Cystine
MaskingCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Asparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
Masking
Ornithine Hcl
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantMethionine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingHydroxyproline
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Coenzyme A
Skin ConditioningSodium Glucuronate
HumectantThiamine Diphosphate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Inositol
Humectant
Niacin
SmoothingPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Pantothenate
Riboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Tocopheryl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Thiamine Hcl
MaskingFolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Isocetyl Stearate, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Mannitol, Lecithin, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Lauroyl Lysine, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Sucrose Dilaurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Myristyl Glucoside, Sclerotium Gum, Sucrose Palmitate, Glycogen, Pullulan, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Isohexadecane, Lysolecithin, Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Glyceryl Linoleate, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Pisum Sativum Extract, Sodium Chloride, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Hexamidine Diisethionate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Silica, Trihydroxystearin, Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Polysorbate 60, Ceramide NP, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glucose, Phenoxyethanol, Bisabolol, BHT, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Beta-Sitosterol, Phytic Acid, Squalene, Potassium Sorbate, Calcium Chloride, BHA, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Magnesium Sulfate, Glutamine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Sodium Phosphate, CI 15510, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Acetate, Lysine Hcl, Arginine Hcl, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Alanine, Histidine Hcl, Valine, Leucine, Threonine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glycine, Polysorbate 80, Glucomannan, Serine, Cystine, Cyanocobalamin, Glutathione, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine Hcl, Glutamic Acid, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, Proline, CI 17200, Methionine, Taurine, Hydroxyproline, Glucosamine Hcl, Coenzyme A, Sodium Glucuronate, Thiamine Diphosphate, Retinyl Acetate, Inositol, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hcl, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate, Thiamine Hcl, Folic Acid
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
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 HyaluronateTocopherol 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 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
