What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
PEG-75
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Tuna Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Punica Granatum Bark/Fruit Extract
AntimicrobialEriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
PEG-75 Stearate
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PEG-75, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyquaternium-51, Tuna Extract, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Bark/Fruit Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Arginine, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-75 Stearate, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-240
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Tuna Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Shale Extract
EmollientBetula Alba Leaf Extract
AstringentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantMethyl Gluceth-10
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-150
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, PEG-240, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-51, Tuna Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Shale Extract, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-10, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-150, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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 GlycolEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polyquaternium-51 is a polymer salt. It helps hydrate the skin by creating a film on top. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.
Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolPyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractSodium 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 HyaluronateWe don't have a description for Tuna Extract yet.
Water. 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
