What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPetrolatum
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingSnail Secretion Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, PEG-100 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Petrolatum, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Arginine, Dimethicone, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Linalool, Limonene, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, CI 16035, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSorbitan Sesquioleate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeStearyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Alcohol
EmollientLauryl Alcohol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Betaine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveGlucose
HumectantMilk Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Beeswax, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Stearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Arginine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Myristyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Glucose, Milk Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene 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.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateLimonene 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 “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-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
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 60Tocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water