What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Benzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCarnosine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentBHT
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCoenochloris Signiensis Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Benzoate
MaskingLactic Acid
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Carnosine, Parfum, Maltodextrin, BHT, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, CI 14700, CI 19140, Coenochloris Signiensis Extract, Lecithin, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDipropylene Glycol
HumectantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Citrate
BufferingPPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingErythritol
HumectantFructose
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSaccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingTheanine
EmollientHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantDisodium Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningInositol
HumectantPotentilla Erecta Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Dipropylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Betaine, Glycerin, Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Sodium Citrate, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Citric Acid, Erythritol, Fructose, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Potassium Hydroxide, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Theanine, Hydrolyzed Silk, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Inositol, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance. It can be synthetically created or naturally occurring.
The scent of Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is described as "flowery" but can also be "woody".
Naturally occurring Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone may be found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the yeast used to make wine and bread.
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 Alpha-Isomethyl IononeCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 GlycerinHexyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient with a similar scent to jasmine. It can be naturally found in chamomile essential oil.
This ingredient is a known EU allergen and may sensitize the skin. The EU requires this ingredient to be listed separately on an ingredients list.
Hexyl Cinnamal is not water soluble but is soluble in oils.
Learn more about Hexyl CinnamalLimonene 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 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.
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here:
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateSodium 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 CitrateTocopherol 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