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 an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to 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 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 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 plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 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 ParfumThis oil comes from the seeds of the desert shrub called Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic oil.
Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient.
It also contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and protects your skin against oxidative damage.
This ingredient humectant properties, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some strains of bacteria.
Studies also show it helps in wound healing. In fact, Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fun fact: Jojoba oil similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. It is also promising with helping to regulate sebum production.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water