What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAvena Sativa Peptide
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Sibirica Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters
EmulsifyingSpiraea Ulmaria Extract
AstringentLarix Sibirica Needle Extract
HumectantGeranium Sibiricum Extract
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSophora Japonica Extract
EmollientSida Cordifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantBenzoic Acid
MaskingSorbic Acid
PreservativeBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingWater, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Avena Sativa Peptide, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Pinus Sibirica Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Larix Sibirica Needle Extract, Geranium Sibiricum Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sophora Japonica Extract, Sida Cordifolia Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Lecithin, Bisabolol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOctyldodecanol
EmollientCarrageenan
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantHypericum Perforatum Extract
AntimicrobialNuphar Luteum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingAnnona Muricata Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAchillea Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
HumectantAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Carrageenan, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Nuphar Luteum Root Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Annona Muricata Leaf/Stem Extract, Achillea Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cellulose Gum, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, CI 19140, Citral, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
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 an aromatic alcohol with several roles: it's a preservative, solvent, and mild fragrance component with a floral scent.
This ingredient has been deemed safe for use in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and up to 10% in hair dyes. You'll typically see 0.5-2% in most rinse-off or leave-on products.
As a preservative, it works by disrupting the membrane of microbial proteins. This helps keep bacteria and fungi from growing in your products.
The sensitization picture is actually quite assuring as well:of nearly 71,000 patients patch tested with benzyl alcohol, only 0.21% showed a positive reaction with most of them being weakly positive.
This led researchers to conclude that benzyl alcohol cannot be regarded as a significant contact allergen.
It is worth noting this ingredient is classified as one of the EU's regulated fragrance allergens and restricted to 1% in finished products.
Labels must also declare it in concentrations above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
At concentrations around 5%, localized redness and itching can appear as a direct irritant response and not as a true allergic reaction.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholGlycerin (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 ParfumSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin C. It is the salt of ascorbic acid.
This ingredient is commonly used in skincare because it's more formulation-stable while still offering the same benefits as pure ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is notorious for breaking down when exposed to sunlight and oxygen whereas SAP has been shown to be more stable.
Studies show SAP has anti-acne and antioxidant benefits. One study found 5% of SAP lotion to be an effective ingredient for treating acne vulgaris. This is because research shows that SAP may help control acne by reducing acne-causing bacteria and slowing the oxidation of skin oils caused by UV exposure.
In addition to acne, vitamin C is important for skin structure. Lab studies suggest SAP may support collagen production in skin cells, making it a great ingredient in anti-aging routines.
Vitamin C has many benefits: it helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, fade the appearance of dark spots, and brighten the skin.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSodium 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 HyaluronateSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an amino-acid based emulsifier. It is made by combining stearic acid with L-glutamic acid and neutralizing it to a sodium salt.
As an emulsifier, it works mainly as an oil-in-water one and helps keep the oil and water in your formulas blended. It also contributes to a smooth, non-greasy skin feel.
This ingredient is biodegradable and commonly available in natural/COSMOS-certified grades.
Learn more about Sodium Stearoyl GlutamateWater. 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