What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantGlycol Palmitate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Coconut Oil
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides
EmollientParfum
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethiconol
EmollientDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantInositol
HumectantTetrasodium EDTA
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantEichhornia Crassipes Extract
Skin ConditioningEthyl Ferulate
AntioxidantFagraea Berteroana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glycol Palmitate, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Arachidyl Alcohol, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, Parfum, Tocopherol, Behenyl Alcohol, Capryloyl Glycine, Carbomer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Arachidyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethiconol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Mica, Inositol, Tetrasodium EDTA, CI 77891, Eichhornia Crassipes Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Fagraea Berteroana Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPetrolatum
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAvena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingLecithin
EmollientSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMenthyl Lactate
MaskingParfum
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Bisabolol, Lecithin, Superoxide Dismutase, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Menthyl Lactate, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citral, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Eugenol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Dimethicone 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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 HydroxideTocopheryl 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