What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Propanediol
Solvent
Nylon-11
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Corn Starch Modified
AbsorbentBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables
Skin Conditioning
Lens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingShorea Robusta Seed Butter
Emollient
Coffea Arabica Seed Oil
Masking
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Moonstone Powder
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Undecylenate
Emollient
Ethyl Stearate
Emollient
Ethyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ethyl Oleate
Emollient
Ethyl Linoleate
Emollient
Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Ethyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
Malic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Silica, Propanediol, Nylon-11, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-10 Diisostearate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Corn Starch Modified, Bakuchiol, Parfum, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Unsaponifiables, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Shorea Robusta Seed Butter, Coffea Arabica Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Moonstone Powder, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Ethyl Stearate, Ethyl Palmitate, Ethyl Oleate, Ethyl Linoleate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Ethyl Macadamiate, Malic Acid, Sodium Carbomer, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isododecane
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer
EmollientMica
Cosmetic Colorant3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Cetearyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Erythrulose
TanningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Stevioside
MaskingGlucose
Humectant
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentBoron Nitride
Absorbent
Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPolysilicone-11
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXylitol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triacetin
AntimicrobialBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Aroma
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Squalane, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isododecane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Coconut Alkanes, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Mica, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Silica, Cetearyl Methicone, Ascorbic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Erythrulose, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Stevioside, Glucose, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xylitylglucoside, Sodium Citrate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polysilicone-11, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Triacetin, Benzyl Benzoate, Parfum, Aroma, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77491, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLinalool 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.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
