What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate Starch
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
PEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Xylitol
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glucose
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingChlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment
Skin ConditioningGarcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Cydonia Seed Extract
MaskingLimonene
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Synthetic Beeswax, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Xylitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Parfum, Alcohol Denat., Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Chlorella Vulgaris/Lupinus Albus Protein Ferment, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Pyrus Cydonia Seed Extract, Limonene, Sodium Benzoate, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Maltodextrin, Linalool, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Dodecane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil
Emollient
Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningIlex Guayusa Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingIlex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Bixa Orellana Seed Extract
MaskingDaucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dodecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Ilex Guayusa Leaf Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Squalane, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Coumarin, Eugenol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis 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.
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 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.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
