What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeDipropylene Glycol
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaffeine
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingAmodimethicone
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientClimbazole
AntimicrobialDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-10
CleansingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingDisodium Phosphate
BufferingHydrolyzed Extensin
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentArginine
MaskingVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantOleic Acid
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientHydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea
EmollientCholesterol
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantCamellia Sinensis Seed Oil
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingLinoleic Acid
CleansingGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingXylitylglucoside
HumectantPunica Granatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantXylitol
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caffeine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Parfum, Amodimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Climbazole, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trideceth-10, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Disodium Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Dextrin, Arginine, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Propanediol, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Oleic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Cholesterol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Punica Granatum Flower Extract, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Xylitol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientSorbitol
HumectantBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeDipropylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate/Acetate
EmollientPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Coptis Japonica Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Keratin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Milk Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Corn Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin ConditioningNonapeptide-1
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingAspartic Acid
MaskingOrnithine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantHistidine
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
MaskingTryptophan
MaskingThreonine
Tyrosine
MaskingArginine
MaskingAlanine
MaskingAsparagine
MaskingCystine
MaskingSerine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningGlycine
BufferingGlutamine
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingWater, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Dipropylene Glycol, Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate/Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Coptis Japonica Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Nardostachys Jatamansi Rhizome/Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tripeptide-1, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Nonapeptide-1, Leucine, Taurine, Isoleucine, Valine, Aspartic Acid, Ornithine, Glutamic Acid, Histidine, Proline, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Threonine, Tyrosine, Arginine, Alanine, Asparagine, Cystine, Serine, Methionine, Glycine, Glutamine, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Limonene, Coumarin, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal
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
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineThis ingredient is a preservative and often used for it's anti-static properties. You'll most likely see this ingredient in hair conditioners.
It does not cause irritation or sensitization in leave-on products at 1-5%.
Butylene 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 GlycolCamellia Japonica Seed Oil comes from the Japanese Camellia plant. This plant is native to East Asia and known as "Tsubaki" in Japanese.
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil is rich in oleic acid. This makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe the skin by forming a barrier. This barrier traps moisture within, keeping your skin hydated.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin 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 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 CinnamalLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolParfum 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 ParfumJojoba oil is one of the most well-studied plant-derived ingredients in cosmetics. It is an emollient with a special structure.
Because it is made up of 97-98% wax esters, it closely mirrors the linear monoesters found in human sebum. This makes it skin compatible, non-greasy, and lightweight.
Unlike other plant oils, jojoba wax doesn't easily penetrate skin. It mostly works in the uppermost layers as an emollient. This just means it forms a light barrier on the skin to help retain moisture.
Formulations with jojoba esters up to 90% reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and increased barrier recovery by 81% (outperforming bisabolol at 47%).
Besides barrier support, the science also suggests jojoba to have anti-inflammatory effects and potential applications for skin infections, aging, and wound healing.
Fun fact: Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fungal acne: The Malassezia yeast is known to metabolize fatty acids in the C11-24 range and jojoba's dominant fatty acid components fall into this range. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilWater. 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