What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Propanediol
SolventPropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Glycolic Acid
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantEthoxydiglycol
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantFerulic Acid
AntimicrobialSchinus Terebinthifolia Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveHydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract
Skin ProtectingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingMalonic Acid
BufferingVanillin
MaskingPropanediol, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Ascorbic Acid, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Glycolic Acid, Water, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Bisabolol, Ferulic Acid, Schinus Terebinthifolia Leaf Extract, Parfum, Silica, Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Plankton Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Malonic Acid, Vanillin
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDiphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
EmollientGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningBidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingMorinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientCitrus Depressa Peel Extract
HumectantAlpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantAphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide
AbsorbentPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantArginine
MaskingLauryl Betaine
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBeta-Caryophyllene
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
PerfumingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingGeranyl Acetate
PerfumingLinalyl Acetate
MaskingPinene
MaskingTerpineol
MaskingTurpentine
PerfumingTerpinolene
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Citrus Depressa Peel Extract, Alpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Cellulose Gum, Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Arginine, Lauryl Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Tocopherol, Silica, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Beta-Caryophyllene, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Geranyl Acetate, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Terpineol, Turpentine, Terpinolene, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491
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 GlycolCaprylyl Methicone is a synthetic and lightweight silicone fluid. It gives products a silky, dry-touch finish without the heaviness of pure oils.
Though the EU CosIng Database lists this ingredient as a skin conditioner, it is also used for sensory reasons. It spreads easily, cuts greasiness, and reduces tackiness.
This ingredient is volatile which means it will mostly evaporate (but it evaporates slower than older cyclomethicones, like Cyclotetrasiloxane).
Typical concentration ranges from 1-30% depending on if it's being used to tweak the feel of a product or acting as the main emollient.
Learn more about Caprylyl MethiconeDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the âgoodâ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene 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 EthylhexylglycerinParfum 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 ParfumPeg-10 Dimethicone is silicone with conditioner and emulsifier properties. It mostly acts as an emollient in skincare and and humectant in haircare.
According to the manufacturer, acidic formulations decrease the stability of this ingredient. It works best in neutral or near neutral formulations.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
Itâs 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 PropanediolSilica, 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 SilicaTocopherol (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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water