What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialPvp
Emulsion StabilisingIsododecane
EmollientTrimethylsiloxysilicate
EmollientPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAmp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Squalane
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitric Acid
BufferingCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Pvp, Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Citric Acid, Ceramide AP
Water
Skin ConditioningPolyester-5
Alcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPolyglyceryl-2 Oleate
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAlcohol
AntimicrobialCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingParfum
MaskingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAchillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingArtemisia Absinthium Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Vp/Va Copolymer
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingAmp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Laureth-21
CleansingButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Polyester-5, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Oleate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Octyldodeceth-16, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Parfum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer, Vp/Va Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Laureth-21, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholWe don't have a description for Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer yet.
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 GlycolLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolWater. 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