What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Tigrinum Extract
Skin ConditioningIpomoea Purpurea Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
Astringent
Borago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract
Antioxidant
Syringa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientChrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNarcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethiconol, Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Phenoxyethanol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Ipomoea Purpurea Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Syringa Vulgaris Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Flower Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus Flower Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Stearic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningRose Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Nelumbo Nucifera Germ
HumectantPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Rose Extract, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Nelumbo Nucifera Germ, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerButylene 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 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 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 Water
