What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Glycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveWater
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
BufferingPropanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Tristearate
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlutathione
Urea
BufferingYeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantHydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
AbrasiveMaltodextrin
AbsorbentPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCellulose Acetate
Boron Nitride
AbsorbentPropylene Glycol Stearate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAcrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingProtease
ExfoliatingLipase
Skin ConditioningGold
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLimonene
PerfumingParfum
MaskingCI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantTocopherol
AntioxidantGlycerin, Silica, Water, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Tristearate, Lactic Acid, CI 77891, Synthetic Beeswax, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Phospholipids, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Cellulose Acetate, Boron Nitride, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Xanthan Gum, Protease, Lipase, Gold, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Parfum, CI 15510, CI 19140, Tocopherol
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingFructose
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Jojoba Esters
EmollientPropylene Carbonate
SolventMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAlgae Extract
EmollientSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
EmollientMedicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasivePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
AbrasiveEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Succinate
AntioxidantNiacin
SmoothingSesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningHoney
HumectantDiamond Powder
AbrasiveCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin ConditioningSpirulina Platensis Powder
Skin ProtectingGlycerin
HumectantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin ConditioningVegetable Oil
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingBHT
AntioxidantBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Fructose, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Jojoba Esters, Propylene Carbonate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Water, Honey, Diamond Powder, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Spirulina Platensis Powder, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Maris Sal, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Beta-Carotene, Acetyl Glucosamine, Yeast Extract, Vegetable Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Parfum, BHT, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLimonene 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 SilicaTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because itâs oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skinâs fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when itâs stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? Youâll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: Itâs has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but itâs still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skinâs lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water