What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
PEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Lactic Acid, Isopropyl Isostearate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Stearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Trehalose, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMyristyl Nicotinate
Skin ConditioningPPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthium Sibiricum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCyathea Cumingii Leaf Extract
Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningAlpinia Officinarum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tetrapeptide-21
Skin Conditioning
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Polyimide-1
Sorghum Bicolor Stalk Juice
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningXylitol
Humectant
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pullulan
Aminomethyl Propanol
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium EDTA
Lecithin
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCinnamic Acid
Perfuming
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningCaprylic Acid
CleansingIsohexadecane
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Poloxamer 338
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Magnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Myristyl Nicotinate, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Stearate, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Xanthium Sibiricum Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Cyperus Rotundus Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cyathea Cumingii Leaf Extract, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Alpinia Officinarum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tetrapeptide-21, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Ceramide Ng, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Adenosine, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 80, Polyimide-1, Sorghum Bicolor Stalk Juice, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Xylitol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pullulan, Aminomethyl Propanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Gluconate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Cinnamic Acid, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Caprylic Acid, Isohexadecane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltodextrin, Poloxamer 338, Silica, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Geraniol, Citral, Linalool
Reviews
Alternatives
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 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinIsohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.
Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.
Learn more about IsohexadecaneLimonene 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 Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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
