What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberLauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
EmulsifyingMagnesium Sulfate
Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate
EmulsifyingCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingHexyl Laurate
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantButylene Glycol
HumectantVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil
AntioxidantCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantDimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
HumectantDisteardimonium Hectorite
StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPropylene Carbonate
SolventPEG-8
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogen Dimethicone
Tocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Hydrated Silica
AbrasiveTriethoxycaprylylsilane
Lysine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Chloride
Ascorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingIron Oxides
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, C13-15 Alkane, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Mica, Butylene Glycol, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone/Divinyldimethicone/Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Propanediol, Propylene Carbonate, PEG-8, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Hydrated Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Lysine, Magnesium Chloride, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Parfum, Iron Oxides, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Glycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientIsoamyl Laurate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
HumectantCucumis Sativus Juice
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXylitol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantCocos Nucifera Fruit Juice
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Sulfite
PreservativeLactic Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhosphoric Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Silica, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Olivate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isoamyl Laurate, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Xylitylglucoside, Cucumis Sativus Juice, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anhydroxylitol, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitol, Allantoin, Betaine, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Sulfite, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phosphoric Acid, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Reviews
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 AcidDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Parfum 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. 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