What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Sea Water
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sargassum Muticum Extract
Skin ProtectingHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingUlva Lactuca Extract
Skin ConditioningEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningCodium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingAgarum Cribrosum Extract
Skin ConditioningEnteromorpha Compressa Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningSargassum Fulvellum Extract
Skin ConditioningPorphyra Yezoensis Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingMacrocystis Pyrifera Extract
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
EmollientUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningCodium Fragile Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Cloustoni Extract
Skin ProtectingChlorella Minutissima Extract
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicornia Herbacea Extract
Skin ConditioningPikea Robusta Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Algae Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Ulva Lactuca Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus/Algae Extract Ferment
Skin ProtectingMacrocystis Pyrifera Protein
Skin ConditioningAlgae Oligosaccharides
Skin ConditioningChlorella Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Sea Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Pueraria Thunbergiana Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Sargassum Muticum Extract, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Ulva Lactuca Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Agarum Cribrosum Extract, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Sargassum Fulvellum Extract, Porphyra Yezoensis Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Algae Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Codium Fragile Extract, Laminaria Cloustoni Extract, Chlorella Minutissima Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Pikea Robusta Extract, Hydrolyzed Algae Extract, Hydrolyzed Ulva Lactuca Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactobacillus/Algae Extract Ferment, Macrocystis Pyrifera Protein, Algae Oligosaccharides, Chlorella Ferment, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Trideceth-10
CleansingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water
Masking
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Water, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Arginine, Dimethiconol, Trisiloxane, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Allantoin, Panthenol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-10, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
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.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Learn more about AlcoholCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 “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 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
