What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetyl Alcohol
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSteareth-21
CleansingDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion StabilisingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantColloidal Gold
AntimicrobialPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningGlutathione
Tocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantJojoba Esters
EmollientRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSorbitol
HumectantSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantMica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveParfum
MaskingCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Steareth-21, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Synthetic Beeswax, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Colloidal Gold, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Glutathione, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Jojoba Esters, Riboflavin, Cyanocobalamin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitol, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Mica, Tin Oxide, Parfum, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77891, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingPropylene Glycol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium EDTA
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMethyl Benzoate
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Alcohol Denat., Ascorbyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Methyl Benzoate, CI 19140, CI 14700
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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.
Tocopheryl 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum