What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate-13
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventBetaine
HumectantChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPolyisobutene
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingMyrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningKojic Acid
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPropolis Wax
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
HumectantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate-13, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Propanediol, Betaine, Chlorphenesin, Polyisobutene, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Coptis Japonica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Isostearate, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Caffeine, Kojic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Propolis Wax, Caprylyl Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Asiaticoside, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTriethanolamine
BufferingTriethyl Citrate
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingEscin
TonicPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMagnesium Sulfate
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylamide
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propylene Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, CI 15985, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, Triethanolamine, Triethyl Citrate, Silica, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Escin, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Boron Nitride, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-7, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCaprylyl 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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