What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingCeteareth-20
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeOenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantBHT
AntioxidantBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cyclopentasiloxane, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Parfum, Ceteareth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Allantoin, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Carbomer, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, CI 15985, Ascorbyl Palmitate, CI 16035, BHT, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventSqualane
EmollientMethyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientSucrose Polystearate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
CleansingPCA Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Calcium Chloride
AstringentSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningManganese Sulfate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantChenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Sulfate
AntimicrobialGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientLecithin
EmollientBrassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract
AstringentPhaseolus Lunatus Seed Extract
EmollientLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, Methyl Trimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Sucrose Polystearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearic Acid, PCA Dimethicone, Sea Water, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Stearate, Saccharide Isomerate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Sorbitan Isostearate, Beta-Glucan, Hyaluronic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Manganese Sulfate, Tocopherol, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Zinc Sulfate, Glycine Soja Oil, Lecithin, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera Extract, Phaseolus Lunatus Seed Extract, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a waxy mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is an emollient and emulsifier.
Despite having "alcohol" in its name, it has nothing to do with drying solvent alcohols; the FDA also allows "alcohol-free" products to contain fatty alcohols like this ingredient.
It plays several roles in a formula:
Typical use levels for this ingredient sit around 1-10% and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has affirmed safety at concentrations up to 25% in leave-on products.
Multiple assessments have found it to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing to most people.
However, there have been some cases of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with chronically compromised skin barriers.
Cetearyl alcohol has a comedogenic rating of 2 and irritancy rating of 1. Both of these numbers come from the 1989 study that used rabbit ears; a "2" means mildly comedogenic and a "1" means low irritancy.
Here's the catch: rabbit skin is more sensitive than human skin and throws a lot of false positives. A 1996 reappraisal found that ingredients rated 1-2 in the rabbit ear tests are generally safe for humans.
Remember comedogenic ratings are unable to assess the entire formula of a product or how it will react on your skin. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure about certain ingredients.
This ingredient is not fungal acne safe. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with chain lengths that fall within the range that Malassezia can metabolize.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin 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 ParfumTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
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