What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantBHA
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate 40%
HumectantMethylparaben
PreservativePropylparaben
PreservativeC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientParfum
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrahydrocurcumin
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberNiacinamide
SmoothingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycolic Acid 70%
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientKojic Dipalmitate
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningArbutin
AntioxidantPEG-10 Glyceryl Stearate
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientPEG-9 Oliveate
EmulsifyingMorus Alba Extract
AstringentTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParaffin
PerfumingAllantoin, BHT, BHA, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate 40%, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Parfum, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycolic Acid 70%, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Kojic Dipalmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arbutin, PEG-10 Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Palmitate, PEG-9 Oliveate, Morus Alba Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Paraffin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropylene Glycol
HumectantStearyl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-75 Lanolin
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Sulfate
BHT
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethoxyethanol
SolventParfum
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Stearyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-75 Lanolin, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinol, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methoxyethanol, Parfum, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAIsopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.
It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.
The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.
Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideParfum 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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water