What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPolymethyl Methacrylate
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningTapioca Starch
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Salicylate
PreservativeTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Ceramide NP
Skin ConditioningSodium Dna
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Tapioca Starch, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Salicylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ceramide NP, Sodium Dna, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberCetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterButylene Glycol
HumectantEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Ochroleuca Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantLeptospermum Scoparium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantMica
Cosmetic ColorantTin Oxide
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Butylene Glycol, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Oleanolic Acid, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, Leptospermum Scoparium Leaf Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, CI 77891, Mica, Tin Oxide, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Eugenol, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconeEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum