What's inside
What's inside
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-37
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCeteareth-20
CleansingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialParfum
MaskingShea Butter Ethyl Esters
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingGlycine Soja Sterols
EmollientCoumarin
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Polyquaternium-37, Glycine Soja Oil, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteareth-20, Cetrimonium Chloride, Parfum, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene, Glycolipids, Sorbitan Oleate, Benzyl Benzoate, Citric Acid, Glycine Soja Sterols, Coumarin, Linalool, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientVp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer
Polyquaternium-37
Parfum
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningBacopa Monnieri Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
EmollientPPG-1 Trideceth-6
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
PEG-4 Dilaurate
EmulsifyingPEG-4 Laurate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingBenzalkonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
PreservativePEG-4
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Vp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer, Polyquaternium-37, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Panthenol, Bacopa Monnieri Extract, Glycerin, Polysorbate 60, Dimethiconol, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, PEG-4 Dilaurate, PEG-4 Laurate, Sorbitan Oleate, Benzalkonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, PEG-4, Butylene Glycol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinLinalool 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 LinaloolPanthenol 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.
We don't have a description for Polyquaternium-37 yet.
We don't have a description for PPG-1 Trideceth-6 yet.
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate is a mixture of Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate and Propylene Glycol Dicaprate.
It is an emollient and helps hydate the skin.
Sorbitan Oleate is created from compounds in oleic acid and sorbitol.
It is used to stabilize a product by preventing ingredients from separating. Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together, such as oils and water.
According to a manufacturer, the ingredient Sorbitan Monooleate shares an INCI name with this one.
Sorbitan Oleate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also worsen oily skin.
Learn more about Sorbitan OleateWater. 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