What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantEthylhexyl Stearate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientParfum
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingMica
Cosmetic ColorantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Parfum, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Mica, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, BHT, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Coumarin, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 77491, CI 77891
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCoffea Canephora Seed Extract
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantLotus Maritimus Flower/Leaf Extract
AntioxidantCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientFicus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantGarcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
AntioxidantSorbic Acid
PreservativeCitrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate, Propanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Coffea Canephora Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lotus Maritimus Flower/Leaf Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Sorbic Acid, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Caramel, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol, Coumarin, Limonene
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 AlcoholCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCoumarins are a group of substances found naturally in plants. There are over 1300 types of coumarins identified. It has a natural vanilla scent.
Coumarin is an identified EU known allergy, meaning it may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin.
In many countries, coumarin is banned as a food additive. However, it can be found in soaps, tobacco products, and some alcohol drinks.
Plants use coumarins as a chemical defense. Some plants that have coumarins include lavender, tonka beans, and yellow clovers.
Learn more about CoumarinDicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.
As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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 Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an emulsifier and helps condition the skin. It is amino acid-based.
In higher amounts, it may act as a cleansing agent.
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. 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