What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Glycine
CleansingS-Palmitoylglutathione
AntioxidantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantPEG-100 Stearate
Ribose
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
PerfumingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylamide
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Polysilicone-11
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Palmitoyl Glycine, S-Palmitoylglutathione, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, PEG-100 Stearate, Ribose, Lactic Acid, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Nicotinate
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin ConditioningArctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningBrassica Campestris Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPrunus Persica Gum
Oryza Sativa Extract
AbsorbentPolysilicone-11
Trehalose
HumectantThymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract
MaskingAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningGleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingCetearyl Olivate
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientPullulan
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingPolyisobutene
Oryza Sativa Germ Extract
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientMurraya Koenigii Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSilica
AbrasiveAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHexanediol
SolventPlantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydrated Silica
AbrasiveGalactoarabinan
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycine Soja Oil, Betaine, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Myristyl Nicotinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Prunus Persica Gum, Oryza Sativa Extract, Polysilicone-11, Trehalose, Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Gleditsia Triacanthos Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Cetearyl Olivate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Pullulan, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Polyisobutene, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sorbitan Laurate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lecithin, Murraya Koenigii Stem Extract, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Polysorbate 60, Silica, Adenosine, Hexanediol, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Benzyl Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrated Silica, Galactoarabinan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Limonene, CI 77891
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin 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 GlycerinLimonene 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 LimoneneParfum 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.
Polysilicone-11 is a film-forming silicone that creates a non-tacky and matte finish on the skin. It's commonly used to improve texture, absorb excess oil, and help active ingredients spread evenly.
Due to its "rubber-like" structure, it stays on the skin's surface instead of being absorbed. On the skin, it creates a flexible layer that enhances wearability and stability.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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