What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantOctyldodecanol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSqualane
EmollientHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSorbitol
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantParfum
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Hydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantHdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer
Octyldodecyl Xyloside
EmulsifyingQuaternium-90 Bentonite
Polysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingSilica
AbrasivePropylene Carbonate
SolventIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientPEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeWater, Butylene Glycol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Niacinamide, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Parfum, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Polyaspartate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hdi/PPG/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Propylene Carbonate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 6%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 1.6%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Trisiloxane
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeC14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingEvodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTin Oxide
AbrasivePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeHydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantMica
Cosmetic ColorantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 6%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 1.6%, Water, Caprylyl Methicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Isododecane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Trisiloxane, Polysorbate 60, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dextrin Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, C14-22 Alcohols, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/Pvp Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Parfum, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Disodium EDTA, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Tin Oxide, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, CI 14700, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
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.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Potassium 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 HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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