What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingParfum
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polyquaternium-10
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Polyquaternium-7
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Parfum, Panthenol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-10, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Titanium Dioxide, Glycolic Acid, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Agar
MaskingAlgin
Masking
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicCalcium Gluconate
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Geraniol
Perfuming
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
Humectant
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
PEG-4
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyquaternium-39
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCI 73360
Cosmetic ColorantRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Talc
Abrasive
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingWater, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Propylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Agar, Algin, Biotin, Calcium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Coco-Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Geraniol, Gluconolactone, Glucose, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, CI 77492, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Limonene, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Pantolactone, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, PEG-4, Pentylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-39, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Pyridoxine Hcl, CI 73360, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Talc, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-6
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 ParfumSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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
