What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant2,3-Butanediol
HumectantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLinalool
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Squalane, Glycerin, 2,3-Butanediol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Dehydroacetic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientC12-16 Alcohols
EmollientMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPalmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract
AntioxidantCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPalmitic Acid
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantLecithin
EmollientAdenosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveKhaya Senegalensis Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTin Oxide
AbrasiveSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, C12-16 Alcohols, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, CI 77891, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Mica, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Benzyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lecithin, Adenosine, Sodium Phytate, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Hyaluronic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Silica, Khaya Senegalensis Bark Extract, Maltodextrin, Tin Oxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Citric Acid, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Coumarin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl 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 AlcoholDehydroacetic 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.
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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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