What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Aletris Farinosa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitral
Perfuming
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Mica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Aletris Farinosa Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Limonene, Polysorbate 60, Dehydroacetic Acid, Geraniol, Linalool, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citral, CI 77891, CI 17200, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
C15-19 Alkane
SolventSilica Silylate
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenethyl Alcohol
MaskingCapsicum Annuum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantLapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Sal
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Propanediol, C15-19 Alkane, Silica Silylate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sorbitan Stearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Parfum, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Disodium EDTA, Sucrose Cocoate, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Sodium Benzoate, T-Butyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Malpighia Emarginata Seed Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, CI 14700, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Maris Sal, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerDisodium 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 ParfumPropanediol 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 PropanediolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
