What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolyquaternium-37
Cocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCaryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-28
Pvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Sorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Tapioca Starch, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyquaternium-37, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil, Polyquaternium-28, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sorbitan Oleate, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin, Limonene
Water
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativePersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantCetyl Esters
EmollientParfum
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventPolyquaternium-37
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPolyquaternium-4
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPectin
Emulsion StabilisingLimonene
PerfumingPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingSucrose
HumectantLinalool
PerfumingAcrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingEDTA
Tocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Sorbitol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Cetyl Esters, Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-37, Sodium Citrate, Polyquaternium-4, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Citric Acid, Pectin, Limonene, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Glycine, Sucrose, Linalool, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Citronellol, Citral, Eugenol, EDTA, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer yet.
Citric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 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 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 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.
We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-37 yet.
We don't have a description for PPG-1 Trideceth-6 yet.
This ingredient is an emollient designed to leave a non-greasy feel. It is also a skin conditioning agent and viscosity modifier.
Skin irritation studies for this ingredient (up to 80%) showed mimimal to no irritation.
One thing worth knowing: this ingredient may enhance the skin penetration of other ingredients.
Overall, this ingredient is a well-tolerated and lightweight emollient.
Learn more about Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/DicaprateSorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.
It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.
According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.
Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
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