What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientHibiscus Abelmoschus Extract
MaskingParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningMethylparaben
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylparaben
PreservativeTetrasodium EDTA
T-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Gluconolactone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethiconol, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Extract, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Laurate, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Ethylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dipropylene Glycol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantGlycereth-7 Triacetate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantMalpighia Glabra Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantMyristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningTamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide
Skin ConditioningOrobanche Rapum Extract
Skin ProtectingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialXylitylglucoside
HumectantBacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantGlucose
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventMaltodextrin
AbsorbentRhizobian Gum
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBHT
AntioxidantBHA
AntioxidantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycereth-7 Triacetate, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbic Acid, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Myristyl Nicotinate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Orobanche Rapum Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Anhydroxylitol, Adenosine, Xylitol, Glucose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Maltodextrin, Rhizobian Gum, Mica, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, BHT, BHA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77491, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolGlycerin 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 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 ParfumPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Sodium 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 BenzoateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum