What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Stearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientPolyacrylamide
Butylene Glycol
HumectantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethiconol
EmollientParfum
MaskingTribehenin
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSucrose Cocoate
EmulsifyingMethylparaben
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantEthylparaben
PreservativeRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Sorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
AntioxidantMedicago Sativa Extract
TonicPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLindera Strychnifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan Stearate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Butylene Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Alcohol Denat., Phenoxyethanol, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Tribehenin, Dipropylene Glycol, Sucrose Cocoate, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Laureth-7, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ethylparaben, Retinyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbitan Laurate, Potassium Hydroxide, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Medicago Sativa Extract, Polysorbate 20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Lindera Strychnifolia Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Water
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingRubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningRubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Cetyl Palmitate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSorbitan Palmate
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingParfum
MaskingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Maltodextrin, Sorbitan Palmate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, PEG-8, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Parfum, CI 19140, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin (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 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl 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 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