What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Cyclopentasiloxane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantBenzyl Cinnamate
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingBHA
AntioxidantBHT
AntioxidantBoswellia Serrata Gum
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCoumarin
PerfumingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientDipropylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Ethylparaben
PreservativeGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientGlyceryl Oleate
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientLinalool
PerfumingMethylparaben
PreservativeO-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialPalmitoyl Oligopeptide
CleansingParfum
MaskingPEG-8
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
HumectantRetinol
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Propionate
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Benzyl Cinnamate, Benzyl Salicylate, BHA, BHT, Boswellia Serrata Gum, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Citric Acid, Coumarin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Oleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Laureth-7, Lecithin, Linalool, Methylparaben, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Parfum, PEG-8, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Retinol, Retinyl Propionate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientAesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantCamphanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingDimethicone
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGinkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Protein
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein
Skin ConditioningMethylsilanol Mannuronate
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePhytonadione Epoxide
AstringentPinanediol
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativePropylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativeSuperoxide Dismutase
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Phosphatidylcholine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Camphanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Protein, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Phytonadione Epoxide, Pinanediol, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cholate, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Superoxide Dismutase
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAParfum 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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