What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePassiflora Edulis Seed Oil
EmollientCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Cannabidiol - Synthetically Produced
AntioxidantCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantWater, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Cannabidiol - Synthetically Produced, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Caramel, CI 19140, CI 42090
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingLactobionic Acid
BufferingMaris Aqua
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningAcacia Decurrens Flower Extract
MaskingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCollagen Amino Acids
MoisturisingRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
AstringentLinalool
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Lactobionic Acid, Maris Aqua, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Citric Acid, T-Butyl Alcohol, Limonene, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Acacia Decurrens Flower Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Collagen Amino Acids, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Sodium Hydroxide, Copper Gluconate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium 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 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-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil.
As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively.
Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface.
This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity.
A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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