What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
PerfumingSqualane
EmollientRetinol
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantPentapeptide-18
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcetyl Tetrapeptide-5
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Callus Culture
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientAureobasidium Pullulans Ferment
Skin ConditioningChondrus Crispus
MaskingAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningRicinus Communis Seed Oil
MaskingPolyglutamic Acid
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCalcium Chloride
AstringentPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantDisodium EDTA
Ultramarines
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, Squalane, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Adenosine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Callus Culture, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Aureobasidium Pullulans Ferment, Chondrus Crispus, Acetyl Glucosamine, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Polyglutamic Acid, Allantoin, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Calcium Chloride, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, CI 77891, Disodium EDTA, Ultramarines, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCarrageenan
Butylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingSea Water
HumectantPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientSucrose
HumectantCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Chloride
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantCalcium Lactate
AstringentDisodium EDTA
Arginine
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Fruit Extract
EmollientPinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract
TonicEthyl Hexanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
AbrasiveTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Carrageenan, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Sea Water, Plankton Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Sucrose, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Potassium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Calcium Chloride, Allantoin, Cellulose Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Calcium Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Arginine, Pentylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chlorphenesin, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCalcium chloride is a white, odorless, crystalline solid. It is an astringent and can be used to change the viscosity of products.
This ingredient is highly soluble in water, acetic acid, and ethanol.
There are many forms of this ingredient, including monohydrate, dihydrate, tetrahydrate, and hexahydrate.
Learn more about Calcium ChlorideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractCeratonia Siliqua Gum is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree. You might know this ingredient as Carob Gum or Locust Bean Gum. It is used to stabilize other ingredients and improve the texture of products.
Carob gum is made up of long-chain polysaccharides. This makes it a natural thickener.
Yes! This ingredient comes from the seeds of a tree. The name 'Locust Bean Gum' can be misleading.
Learn more about Ceratonia Siliqua GumChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinGuar gum is made from the guar bean, a plant native to India. It is considered a form of polysaccharide and naturally contains sugar.
This ingredient is often used to thicken a product or create a gel-like consistency.
It also has emulsion properties to help keep ingredients together.
Learn more about Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba GumDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinParfum 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 ParfumWater. 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