What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingIsohexadecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientIsopropyl Isostearate
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantRetinyl Propionate
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialBHT
AntioxidantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethiconol
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Polyacrylamide
PEG-100 Stearate
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Isostearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Propionate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, BHT, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Laureth-7, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Polyacrylamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Titanium Dioxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 19140, CI 16035
Water
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSqualane
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dipelargonate
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientHydrogenated Vegetable Oil
EmollientCetyl Esters
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientIsostearic Acid
CleansingSoluble Collagen
HumectantBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningWheat Germ Glycerides
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientLaureth-23
CleansingParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialIsoeugenol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Squalane, Propylene Glycol Dipelargonate, Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Cetyl Esters, Glyceryl Stearate, Isostearic Acid, Soluble Collagen, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Persea Gratissima Oil, Wheat Germ Glycerides, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Laureth-23, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Carbomer, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Citronellol, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Isoeugenol, Eugenol, Benzyl Salicylate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAParfum 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.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid that is already found in your skin. It's one of the free fatty acids that works alongside ceramides and cholesterols to maintain your barrier.
In cosmetics, it is a multitasker:
Safety-wise, the CIR Expert Panel has concluded it to be safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Free stearic acid is a C18 fatty acid that the Malassezia yeast can substrate, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Fatty alcohols are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent (ethanol) alcohols.
The 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water