What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningErythrulose
TanningHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningJuglans Nigra Shell Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantDimethicone PEG-8 Phosphate
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
AbsorbentBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Propylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Panthenol, Erythrulose, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Juglans Nigra Shell Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Parfum, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Metabisulfite, Dimethicone PEG-8 Phosphate, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Maltodextrin, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, CI 16035, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingGlycereth-26
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantErythrulose
TanningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Oil
MaskingCitrus Paradisi Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Communis Fruit Oil
MaskingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingTetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes
MaskingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHexamethylindanopyran
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Peel Oil
Geraniol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingPinene
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTriethylene Glycol
MaskingWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycereth-26, Panthenol, Ascorbic Acid, Erythrulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Juniperus Communis Fruit Oil, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Parfum, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hexamethylindanopyran, Limonene, Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Peel Oil, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Pinene, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Triethylene Glycol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidDihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is the active ingredient in self-tanners.
It's a simply sugar that reacts with the free amino acids in your outermost layer of skin to produce brown-colored compounds called melanoidins.
DHA does not penetrate living skin cells, does not interact with melanocytes, and does not affect actualy melanin production.
There's a "safety controversy" that largely stems from misinterpreted studies:
Once concern is that DHA can generate unstable molecules that can damage cells (free radicals) when exposed to sunlight. This only happens in the outermost layer of dead skin cells and wearing SPF on top takes care of it.
The DNA damage claim comes from lab studies that doused living skin cells in much higher concentrations of DHA than you'd ever find in a self-tanner. That's not really a meaningful comparison to putting self-tanning lotion on your skin.
Regulatory bodies around the world, including the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and the U.S. FDA consider it safe for use in cosmetics when applied topically (maximum 10%, and most self-tanners contain between 3-5%).
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneWe don't have a description for Erythrulose yet.
Ethoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Ethoxydiglycol also helps deliver other key ingredients into the skin.
Learn more about EthoxydiglycolPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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