What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Oleth-20
CleansingPolyquaternium-6
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tetrasodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Oleth-20, Polyquaternium-6, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Bis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone
Oleth-20
CleansingCetyl Triethylmonium Dimethicone PEG-8 Succinate
PEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer
CleansingParfum
Masking
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
PEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Cetylpyridinium Chloride
AntimicrobialDimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate
Emollient
PEG-12 Allyl Ether
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cetrimonium Bromide
Antimicrobial
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
PEG-12
HumectantCeteareth-7
EmulsifyingSilicone Quaternium-22
Ceteareth-25
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Caprate
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Arginine
Masking
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningAspartic Acid
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Acacia Seyal Gum Extract
HumectantAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Serine
Masking
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicNiacinamide
Smoothing
Limonene
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Bis-Cetearyl Amodimethicone, Oleth-20, Cetyl Triethylmonium Dimethicone PEG-8 Succinate, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Parfum, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, PEG-12 Allyl Ether, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Cetrimonium Bromide, Chlorphenesin, PEG-12, Ceteareth-7, Silicone Quaternium-22, Ceteareth-25, Phenoxyethanol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Caffeine, Persea Gratissima Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Lactic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Hexylene Glycol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract, Palmitamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Sodium Benzoate, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Biotin, Niacinamide, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citral
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidGlycerin (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 LimoneneOleth-20 comes from oleyl alcohol. It is an emulsifier that helps reduce surface tension of dirt and pollutants to be washed away.
The 20 stands for the average number of ethylene oxide units.
Parfum 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
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
