What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingMagnesium Chloride
Magnesium Citrate
Skin ConditioningDimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingSodium Chloride
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSteardimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin
Skin ConditioningGlycol Distearate
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil
EmollientSodium Salicylate
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingParfum
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
EmulsifyingCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
EmulsifyingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Citrate, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Steardimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin, Glycol Distearate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Salicylate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cocamide Mea, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientQuaternium-87
CleansingStearamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientDistearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Isopropyl Myristate
EmollientPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingSclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
HumectantHydrolyzed Keratin
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethiconol
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePolyquaternium-37
Sodium Methylparaben
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Quaternium-87, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Dimethicone, Distearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Isopropyl Myristate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethiconol, Potassium Sorbate, Polyquaternium-37, Sodium Methylparaben, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 47005, CI 15985, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholCitric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.
Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.
In skincare formulas, citric acid can:
While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.
Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinHydrolyzed Keratin is derived from keratin. Keratin is a large protein that is naturally found in our hair and skin.
Studies show keratin is able to seal broken hair cuticles, helping to prevent split ends and breakage.
As a humectant, hydrolyzed keratin helps draw moisture from the air to your hair and skin. This helps keep your skin and hair hydrated.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed KeratinParfum 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 ParfumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 SorbatePropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolThis ingredient is the oil from the apricot.
Apricot Kernel Oil is an emollient and helps soften skin. This is due to its fatty acid components. Some of these fatty acids include linoleic and oleic acid.
This ingredient also has antioxidant properties from Vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Besides being antioxidants, these vitamins provide plenty of skin benefits as well.
Learn more about Prunus Armeniaca Kernel 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