What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantCellulose
AbsorbentButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberPanthenol
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingPanthenyl Triacetate
Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxypropylcellulose
EmulsifyingCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentBHT
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PEG-8, Cellulose, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Saccharide Isomerate, Benzophenone-3, Panthenol, Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Panthenyl Triacetate, Taraxacum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Pantolactone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, BHT, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77891, CI 42090, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingPalmitoyl Olive Leaf Extract
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitrus Grandis Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Grape Fruit Extract
HumectantToluene Sulfonic Acid
Benzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCellulose Acetate Butyrate
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-8, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Olive Leaf Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Grandis Extract, Hydrolyzed Grape Fruit Extract, Toluene Sulfonic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Glycerin 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 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 ParfumPEG-8 is a synthetic polymer used as a humectant and solvent.
This ingredient is able to help dissolve active ingredients, including water. This gives it humectant properties.
It is soluble in water. The number '8' stands for the molecular weight of the ingredient.
Learn more about PEG-8Phenoxyethanol 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.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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