What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientIsododecane
EmollientBehentrimonium Methosulfate
SurfactantMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantHedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract
HumectantPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Magnesium Nitrate
Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSodium Glycolate
BufferingMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMagnesium Chloride
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isohexadecane, Isododecane, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Leaf Extract, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Magnesium Nitrate, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sodium Glycolate, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Limonene, CI 42090, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetrimonium Bromide
AntimicrobialBisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone
Parfum
MaskingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningSoyamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
SurfactantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingBlue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantAlgae Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Cera
EmollientMethylchloroisothiazolinone
PreservativeMethylisothiazolinone
PreservativeButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetrimonium Bromide, Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone, Parfum, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Soyamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Blue 1 Lake, Algae Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Cera, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.
The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.
Its headline job is hydration.
The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.
Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.
On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.
There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.
Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.
Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract is from the Roman Chamomile flower. It helps soothe the skin and contains antioxidants.
Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl Pg-Propyl Dimethicone is a type of silicone.
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 AcidLimonene 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 LimoneneMethylchloroisothiazolinone, or MCI, is a synthetic preservative used to protect against the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi in water-based products.
MCI is commonly combined with methylisothiazolinone (MI) in a 3:1 ratio.
This ingredient is safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-sensitizing and concentrations must not exceed 7.5 ppm in leave-on products / 15 ppm in rinse-off products.
Unfortunately, this ingredient has a well-documented sensitization story. Studies spanning several decades have shown this ingredient + MI to cause skin irritation and allergies.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
This just means this ingredient is most likely non-sensitizing in rinse-off products unless you've been diagnosed with a contact allergy to isothiazolinones.
Learn more about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMI is a preservative and known skin irritant. In the past, MI was used for its ability to prevent bacteria, yeast, and fungi growth in low doses.
Nowadays, you'll most likely see MI combined with Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI).
Since then, numerous studies have shown this ingredient to cause contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
The use of this ingredient varies around the world:
Learn more about MethylisothiazolinoneParfum 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 ParfumPEG-12 Dimethicone is a type of water-soluble silicone. It has skin conditioning and hydrating properties.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient's stability is decreased by strong acid or alkali.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water