What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Lauryl Sulfate
CleansingAcrylates Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingJuglans Regia Shell Powder
AbrasiveAmmonium Sulfate
Laureth-3
EmulsifyingLauryl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Powder
EmollientSea Salt
AbrasiveSodium Carbonate
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantNiacinamide
Smoothing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingLactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Protein Extract
Skin ConditioningMilk Protein Extract
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientIlex Rotunda Extract
Skin ConditioningOsmanthus Fragrans Leaf Extract
HumectantVitex Trifolia Extract
Skin ConditioningMallotus Japonicus Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialLactobacillus/Milk Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Glycerin, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Parfum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Ammonium Sulfate, Laureth-3, Lauryl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Powder, Sea Salt, Sodium Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Avena Sativa Protein Extract, Milk Protein Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ilex Rotunda Extract, Osmanthus Fragrans Leaf Extract, Vitex Trifolia Extract, Mallotus Japonicus Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Milk Ferment Filtrate, Glycine Soja Protein, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingJuglans Regia Shell Powder
AbrasiveWater
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingCocamide DEA
EmulsifyingSodium Chloride
MaskingErythritol
HumectantParfum
MaskingLaureth-9
EmulsifyingTriethanolamine
BufferingCocamide Methyl Mea
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRosa Hybrid Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Serrulata Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningChrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHoney Extract
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium Lauroyl Glutamate
CleansingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlycerin
HumectantOnsen-Sui
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantLigularia Fishceri Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialRosa Davurica Bud Extract
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMonarda Didyma Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDiospyros Kaki Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantPolyquaternium-10
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingDisodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Chloride, Erythritol, Parfum, Laureth-9, Triethanolamine, Cocamide Methyl Mea, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Honey Extract, Carbomer, Disodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Cellulose Gum, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Onsen-Sui, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Ligularia Fishceri Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosa Davurica Bud Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ascorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C and is the biologically active form used directly by skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, but it also has plenty of benefits for your skin. It is best supported by academic literature for:
Topical vitamin C has been shown to help neutralize oxidative stress from UV and pollution, helping to improve photoaging and hyperpigmentation when used consistently.
One clinical study found that using 5% topical vitamin C for six months improved signs of photodamaged skin, both on the surface and in the deeper structural layers of the skin.
While vitamin C doesnât replace sunscreen, studies show it can boost photoprotection when combined with Vitamin E and ferulic acid. These two ingredients help improve stability and protective effects.
The big downside of this ingredient is formulation difficulty. Vitamin C is prone to oxidation and doesn't penetrate the skin unless formulated correctly. Research found that vitamin C absorbs into the skin best at a low pH (< 3.5) with about 20% being the upper limit for effective absorption.
Skin levels can saturate after repeated application; this means your skin wonât keep absorbing more once itâs full of vitamin C. This is why more isnât always better with vitamin C and why very high concentrations donât necessarily give extra benefits.
Ascorbic acid generally works well with many skincare ingredients but can be irritating when combined with other active ingredients. Strong oxidizing acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide can reduce the effectiveness of vitamin C if they are used at the same time; they are often recommended for use at different times of day.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolCitronellol 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 GlycerinYou might know this ingredient as walnut shell powder. It is an abrasive used as a physical exfoliator.
Abrasives are physical exfoliants used to get rid of dead cell buildup on your skin. Physical exfoliators have a bad reputation due to the myth that they give your face tiny cuts. This is untrue.
Like any exfoliant, using this ingredient can disrupt your skin barrier. This can lead to breakouts, irritation, and dryness. It is critical to be gentle when using any type of exfoliator.
If you want to use a chemical exfoliator instead, check out glycolic acid.
Learn more about Juglans Regia Shell PowderLinalool 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.
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