What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientAluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolymethylsilsesquioxane
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSalvia Hispanica Seed Extract
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantPEG-8
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantLecithin
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGeraniol
PerfumingPantolactone
HumectantBHT
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingPongamia Pinnata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingAngelica Archangelica Root Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSorbic Acid
PreservativeAdenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Linalool, Ascorbyl Glucoside, PEG-8, Lactobacillus Ferment, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Alcohol Denat., Geraniol, Pantolactone, BHT, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citronellol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Pongamia Pinnata Seed Extract, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Extract, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Sorbic Acid, Adenosine Phosphate, CI 19140, CI 15985
Water
Skin ConditioningOctocrylene
UV AbsorberHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-20
HumectantPetrolatum
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientOryza Sativa Bran Oil
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyacrylamide
PEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
ExfoliatingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Dimethiconol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLaureth-7
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantJasminum Officinale Extract
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingOryza Sativa
Limonene
PerfumingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Linseed Extract
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingMalus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCI 19140
Cosmetic Colorant2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol
Skin ConditioningCitral
PerfumingCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
MaskingWater, Octocrylene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Octyldodecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-20, Petrolatum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Zea Mays Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Disodium EDTA, Dimethiconol, Pentylene Glycol, Laureth-7, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Jasminum Officinale Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Oryza Sativa, Limonene, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Linseed Extract, Linalool, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Citronellol, Coumarin, CI 19140, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Citral, CI 14700, 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.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
The "denat" part just means "denatured"; common denaturants include Denatonium Benzoate, t-butyl alcohol, and Diethyl Phthalate. This step makes the alcohol undrinkable (and lets brand skip taxes related to beverage alcohol).
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue to constrict pores and dry out your skin.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is this ingredient will probably not affect your skin much if it is near the end of an ingredients list.
One thing to note:
People with ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) deficiency may experience skin irritation from continued alcohol use. About 8% of the world's population have this deficiency.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has determined denatured alcohols to be safe for use in concentrations between 0.05% and 12% (depending on which denaturant is used).
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Look for formulas that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol if you want to offset any drying effect.
This ingredient will trip away your skin's natural oils/lipids that help it lock in moisture. This can worsen dryness, trigger eczema flare-ups, and aggravate rosacea.
Be sure to patch test any product with this ingredient if you have dry or sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane belongs to the siloxanes and silicones classes. It is synthetically created and has a waxy composition.
This ingredient is a humectant and emollient, meaning it helps hydrate the skin. Humectants draw moisture to your skin, while emollients prevent moisture from escaping.
Butylene 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 GlycolCaprylyl 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, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCI 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.
Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.
Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.
Learn more about CI 19140Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 LimoneneLinalool 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum