What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogen Peroxide
AntimicrobialPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingOctadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, C12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Hydrogen Peroxide, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Octadecyl Di-T-Butyl-4-Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Carbomer, Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Water
Skin ConditioningBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientVaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Silica
Abrasive
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSqualane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarnosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Isododecane, Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Carnosine, Disodium EDTA, Coco-Glucoside, Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Plankton Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Parfum, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
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 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateLimonene 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 LimoneneLinalool 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.
Sodium 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 HydroxideWater. 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
