What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTrimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate
EmollientTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTroxerutin
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentPolysilicone-11
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeDisodium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingWater, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Trimethylolpropane Tricaprylate/Tricaprate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Nonapeptide-1, Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Lactate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Troxerutin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Maltodextrin, Polysilicone-11, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Parfum, CI 15985, CI 19140, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 5.5%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 4%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningLaureth-1
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantAcrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate
Emollient3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantSodium Lactate
BufferingNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Troxerutin
Skin ConditioningPolygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Phosphate
BufferingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium Phosphate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 5.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Octocrylene 4%, Water, Laureth-1, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Alcohol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Nonapeptide-1, Lecithin, Silica, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Troxerutin, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
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
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidButylene 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 GlycolCaprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolWe don't have a description for Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract yet.
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract comes from the watermelon. Watermelon has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Watermelons are rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and lycopene. It also contains sugars and amino acids, such as arginine and glutathione.
Lycopene is a potent antioxidant. Besides helping to protect your skin against free-radical molecules, it also helps soothe the skin. Lycopene gives watermelon the distinct red color.
Learn more about Citrullus Lanatus Fruit ExtractDimethicone 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 Phosphate is a water-soluble powder used as a pH adjuster.
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 GlycerinWe don't have a description for Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract yet.
Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinNonapeptide-1 is created from amino acids including arginine and lysine.
It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Emerging studies show Nonapeptide-1 to help with reducing pigmentation and brightening the skin. It has shown to prevent the activation of tyrosinase, an enzyme in the skin that begins the process of melanin creation. Melanin is responsible for giving skin a tan or dark spots.
Learn more about Nonapeptide-1Parfum 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 ParfumWe don't have a description for Polygonum Aviculare Extract yet.
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 SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolPyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractSodium 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 BenzoateSodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and sometimes used to adjust the pH of a product.
This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCASodium phosphate is a group of inorganic sodium salts (mono, di, and tri-sodium phosphate). It has pH buffering, chelating, and stabilizing properties.
This means it helps maintain a formula's acidity, enhances preservative performance, and prevents unwanted changes caused by metal ions or hard water.
Sodium phosphate is considered safe for use in cosmetics according to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR); it also has a long-established food-grade safety rating as well.
Though some sources claim sodium phosphate can help "energize skin cells", this claim is not strongly supported by independent scientific studies.
Learn more about Sodium PhosphateWe don't have a description for Troxerutin yet.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water