What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingCocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sea Salt
Abrasive
Hydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Lactic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sea Salt, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Chloride
Preservative
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Isododecane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caviar Extract
Skin ConditioningAlaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningJojoba Esters
Emollient
Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment
Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Silicon Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Zinc Ferment
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Iron Ferment
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Amodimethicone
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Polysilicone-15
UV Filter
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acetate
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Acetic Acid
BufferingGlycereth-26
Humectant
C11-15 Pareth-7
EmulsifyingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTrideceth-12
EmulsifyingPEG-4 Laurate
Emulsifying
PEG-4 Dilaurate
Emulsifying
PEG-4
HumectantIsopentyldiol
Humectant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Isododecane, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Caviar Extract, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Jojoba Esters, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Phospholipids, Superoxide Dismutase, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Amodimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Tocopherol, Polysilicone-15, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Acetic Acid, Glycereth-26, C11-15 Pareth-7, Laureth-9, Trideceth-12, PEG-4 Laurate, PEG-4 Dilaurate, PEG-4, Isopentyldiol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidThis ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholParfum 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
