What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyalkylaminoester-1
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylate-13
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate
Skin ConditioningFructose
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyporus Umbellatus Extract
Skin ProtectingAmaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
Emollient
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Polyalkylaminoester-1, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Pvp, Polyacrylate-13, Sodium Citrate, Phospholipids, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Fructose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Myristyl Alcohol, Polyporus Umbellatus Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Polyisobutene, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Oleth-10, Parfum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Citral
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBiotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingCorn Starch Modified
AbsorbentWheat Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Skin ConditioningDimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyquaternium-4
Polyquaternium-10
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Acetate
BufferingIsopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Parfum
Masking
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Acacia Senegal Gum, Corn Starch Modified, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Coco-Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-4, Polyquaternium-10, Panthenol, Pvp, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGlycerin (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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Corn Starch is made by breaking down corn starch into smaller sugar and carbohydrate units through acid or enzyme hydrolysis. The result is a blend of sugars (glucose, maltose, and maltodextrins).
It has skin conditioning and humectant properties and helps the skin stay hydrated. According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps provide humidity resistance and frizz control in haircare.
Limonene 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 LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumPvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpWater. 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
