What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPalmitic Acid
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantGardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin ConditioningMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningNonfat Dry Milk
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingTriethanolamine
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
HumectantPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingTetrasodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDecylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Isopropyl Myristate, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Nonfat Dry Milk, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Glycerin, PEG-40 Stearate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Decylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPropylene Glycol
HumectantStearyl Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-75 Lanolin
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCitric Acid
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
HumectantMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Sulfite
PreservativeSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantSodium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingSodium Sulfate
BHT
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMethoxyethanol
SolventParfum
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingWater, Glyceryl Stearate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Stearyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-75 Lanolin, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinol, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methoxyethanol, Parfum, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
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 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 EthylhexylglycerinIsopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.
It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.
The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.
Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateParfum 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 ParfumPropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopheryl 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 Water