What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingNiacinamide
SmoothingXylityl Sesquicaprylate
AntimicrobialAnhydroxylitol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Phytate
Benzoic Acid
MaskingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Mandelic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Lactic Acid, Niacinamide, Xylityl Sesquicaprylate, Anhydroxylitol, Panthenol, Potassium Hydroxide, Parfum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Benzoic Acid, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool
Propylene Glycol
HumectantWater
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearate
CleansingSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentParfum
MaskingHydrated Silica
AbrasiveCitrus Grandis Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingSqualane
EmollientSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentCaffeine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningSaponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSilica Cetyl Silylate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePropylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Stearate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Zea Mays Starch, Parfum, Hydrated Silica, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Squalane, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Caffeine, Arginine, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Silica Cetyl Silylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 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 ParfumSodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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