What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientAlgae Extract
EmollientSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Lecithin
EmollientTephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingParfum
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSalvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicTocopherol
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
EmollientCurcuma Longa Root Oil
PerfumingGlucose
HumectantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantPhoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract
MoisturisingOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingWater, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Algae Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Tephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Parfum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Sodium Gluconate, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Tocopherol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Oil, Glucose, CI 19140, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Oil
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentXylitylglucoside
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAlgae
Skin ConditioningAnhydroxylitol
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeXylitol
Humectant2,3-Butanediol
HumectantMalpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPrunus Avium Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantGlucose
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningSucrose Stearate
EmollientCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide As
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ng
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Oil
MaskingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-7 Hcl
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningGlycosphingolipids
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Xylitylglucoside, Carbomer, Algae, Anhydroxylitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xylitol, 2,3-Butanediol, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Prunus Avium Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, CI 42090, Glucose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Sucrose Stearate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide As, Ceramide Ng, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-7 Hcl, Ceramide EOP, Glycosphingolipids, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolButylene 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 GlycolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractEthylhexylglycerin 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 EthylhexylglycerinGlucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). In skincare, it is mostly a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Mechanistically, it has multiple hydroxyl groups that hydrogen-bond to water. This pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin to keep the surface soft and hydrated.
It's worth knowing sugars are already a natural component of the skin's NMF (natural moisturizing factor) so it's a molecule that your stratum corneum is well-acquainted with.
Just so you know, glucose is hydrophilic (water-loving) and the stratum corneum is a strong barrier to hydrophilic compounds. This just means penetration is slow and most of the action is happening on the surface.
Gram-to-gram, glucose is not as efficient as a humectant as glycerin. This is why you'll likely see glycose paired with stronger humectants for a bigger hydration payoff.
In skincare, glucose is typically derived from corn or other starch sources.
Learn more about GlucoseGlycerin (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 GlycerinThis ingredient is also known as basil oil or basil essential oil. It is primarily used to add a fragrance or mask the odor of other ingredients.
The main bioactive compounds in it are linalool and eugenol. These are EU-regulated fragrance allergens; this just means a small percentage of people with existing fragrance sensitivities should patch test.
In-vitro studies have demonstrated activity against acne-causing bacteria.
Learn more about Ocimum Basilicum OilParfum 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.
Propanediol 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 PropanediolWater. 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 WaterXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about Xylitylglucoside