What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventPvp
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin/Vp Copolymer
Glycerin
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMomordica Cochinchinensis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingSodium Phytate
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Pvp, Polysorbate 20, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Glycerin, Panthenol, Momordica Cochinchinensis Seed Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sodium Phytate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, CI 19140, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantMagnesium Sulfate
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer
Larix Europaea Wood Extract
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentMorus Alba Root Extract
BleachingZinc Chloride
AntimicrobialGlycine
BufferingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
AntimicrobialPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningPouteria Sapota Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Sodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Glycerin, Magnesium Sulfate, Pvp, Vp/Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Zinc Chloride, Glycine, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Pouteria Sapota Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Citronellol, Coumarin
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 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 AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Rice Protein is protein extracted from rice. This ingredient is rich in antioxidants and peptides.
Studies show this ingredient may help with blocking the melanin creation process when skin is exposed to UV.
Hydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
Hydroxycitronellal is a known EU allergen and may cause irritation when applied to the skin.
Limonene 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 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
Pvp is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
Sodium 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 BenzoateSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
Water. 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