What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingXylitylglucoside
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingXylitol
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingGlucose
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientBiosaccharide Gum-4
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Xylitol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Glucose, Butylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Dipropylene Glycol, Morus Alba Leaf Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPolysilicone-11
PEG-100 Stearate
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Distearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Grape Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Protein
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientTetrasodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLaureth-12
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Phosphate
BufferingParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Saccharide Isomerate, Polysilicone-11, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Glyceryl Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Protein, Serine, Alanine, Proline, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phosphate, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
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 and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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.
Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
Tocopheryl 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