What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingXylitylglucoside
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientLauryl Laurate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveAnhydroxylitol
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXylitol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Flower Extract
HumectantCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasiveMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRobinia Pseudoacacia Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Ether, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Parfum, Xylitylglucoside, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Lauryl Laurate, Silica, Anhydroxylitol, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Xylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Gluconate, Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Carrageenan, Sclerotium Gum, Glycine Soja Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Capryloyl Glycine, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Disodium EDTA, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Maris Sal, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Robinia Pseudoacacia Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Coconut Oil
EmollientGlycol Palmitate
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingEtlingera Elatior Extract
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeButylene Glycol
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingEichhornia Crassipes Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSucrose
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPancratium Maritimum Extract
BleachingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Glycol Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tocopherol, Capryloyl Glycine, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Etlingera Elatior Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Eichhornia Crassipes Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Sucrose, Sodium Benzoate, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite
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Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholCapryloyl Glycine is created by adding an acyl group to glycine and caprylic acid chloride.
It is a cleanser due to its surfactant properties. Surfactants help dirt, oil, and other polluants be more easily rinsed away. According to manufacturers, Capryloyl Glycine also helps soften the skin and regulate sebum production.
Emerging studies show Capryloyl Glycine may inhibit hair growth. It may also cause allergies for some people. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions about this ingredient.
Learn more about Capryloyl GlycineCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.
Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is a plant oil derived from the seeds of a sunflower.
It is rich in fatty acids, primarily linoleic acid and oleic acid. This gives it emollient and skin conditioning properties.
The reason this ingredient is so effective is because it forms a thin film on the skin that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while supplying linoleic acid to the stratum corneum to improve barrier strength.
The high linoleic acid content is particularly noteworthy for acne-prone skin.
Research suggests that acne-prone skin tends to be deficient in linoleic acid in sebum. Topical application may help replenish this to support a healthier follicular environment and less comedone-promoting sebum.
One randomized study found sunflower seed oil preserved skin barrier integrity in adult volunteers with and without atopic dermatitis (outperforming olive oil).
This ingredient is well-studied, gentle, and an effective emollient suitable for most skin types.
On fungal acne: This ingredient may not be Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) safe. This is because it contains fatty acids with carbon chain lengths in the C11-C24 range.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilParfum 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 Stearoyl Glutamate is an amino-acid based emulsifier. It is made by combining stearic acid with L-glutamic acid and neutralizing it to a sodium salt.
As an emulsifier, it works mainly as an oil-in-water one and helps keep the oil and water in your formulas blended. It also contributes to a smooth, non-greasy skin feel.
This ingredient is biodegradable and commonly available in natural/COSMOS-certified grades.
Learn more about Sodium Stearoyl GlutamateTocopherol (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 skinâs 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 TocopherolWater. 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