What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Vulcanorum Fruit Extract
Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Arcticus Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
CI 28440
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Vaccinium Vulcanorum Fruit Extract, Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Rubus Arcticus Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, CI 28440, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentCrambe Abyssinica Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Emollient
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Squalene
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Vegetable Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Coumarin
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Betaine, Persea Gratissima Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Oryza Sativa Starch, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Caffeine, Proline, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glycine Soja Oil, Vegetable Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Mica, Tin Oxide, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum, Coumarin, Linalool, Limonene, CI 77891
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin (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 ParfumPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
