What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Tapioca Starch
Dimethicone
EmollientBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Parfum
MaskingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Tapioca Starch, Dimethicone, Benzyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Parfum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethiconol, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSchinus Terebinthifolia Seed Extract
AstringentAnigozanthos Flavidus Extract
Skin ConditioningPaullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPvp
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Vanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingLinoleic Acid
CleansingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Sulfate
Linolenic Acid
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 60730
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Panthenol, Schinus Terebinthifolia Seed Extract, Anigozanthos Flavidus Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Rhodophyceae Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pvp, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Citric Acid, Linoleic Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Sulfate, Linolenic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 42090, CI 60730, 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.
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 TriglycerideCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholTocopheryl 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