What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHoney
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Acetate
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-37
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialCellulose
AbsorbentPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingIsopropyl Alcohol
SolventLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Honey, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-37, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Isopropyl Alcohol, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, CI 15985, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientLactobacillus
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Rice Protein
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingCetrimonium Chloride
AntimicrobialPotassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
CleansingAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientNigella Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingSqualane
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientPolyquaternium-10
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
C9-12 Alkane
SolventStearalkonium Chloride
PreservativeHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic Acid
Citric Acid
BufferingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Acetate
BufferingCellulose
AbsorbentSodium Benzoate
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Lactobacillus, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Squalane, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Polyquaternium-10, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, C9-12 Alkane, Stearalkonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, CI 77491, CI 77891, Caramel, Mica, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acetate, Cellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.
This ingredient has many functions:
Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.
Learn more about CelluloseThis ingredient is a preservative, antimicrobial, and emulsifier. It is often used in cosmetics for its ability to cleanse, condition, and reduce static.
Cetrimonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt, meaning it has a water-soluble structure.
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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 SorbateWe don't have a description for Sodium Acetate yet.
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