What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantTris-Biphenyl Triazine
UV AbsorberPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberSilica
AbrasiveMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV FilterHydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleyl/Dimethylcarbonate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningUndecane
EmollientSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantDisodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate
CleansingBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDecyl Glucoside
CleansingTridecane
PerfumingParfum
MaskingNiacinamide
SmoothingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Polygonum Aviculare Extract
EmollientAllantoin
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPEG-8
HumectantDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol
HumectantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Citrate
BufferingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tris-Biphenyl Triazine, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Silica, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Hydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleyl/Dimethylcarbonate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Undecane, Saccharide Isomerate, Disodium Cetearyl Sulfosuccinate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Tridecane, Parfum, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Polygonum Aviculare Extract, Allantoin, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, PEG-8, Disodium Phosphate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclomethicone
EmollientEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningCetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingArbutin
AntioxidantParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantPolyethylene
AbrasiveTalc
AbrasivePhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Chloride
MaskingCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantMethylparaben
PreservativeDimethicone
EmollientPropylparaben
PreservativeRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantFagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingHydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Cyclomethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Arbutin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, CI 77492, Polyethylene, Talc, Phenyl Trimethicone, Beeswax, Sodium Chloride, CI 77491, CI 77499, Methylparaben, Dimethicone, Propylparaben, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Algae Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Ceramide NP, Parfum, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is a fragrance. It can be synthetically created or naturally occurring.
The scent of Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone is described as "flowery" but can also be "woody".
Naturally occurring Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone may be found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the yeast used to make wine and bread.
The term '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.
Learn more about Alpha-Isomethyl IononeBenzyl Salicylate is a solvent and fragrance additive. It is an ester of benzyl alcohol and salicylic acid. This ingredient can be naturally found in some plants and plant extracts.
In fragrances, Benzyl Salicylate may be a solvent or a fragrance component. In synthetic musk scents, it is used as a solvent. For floral fragrances such as lilac and jasmine, it is used as a fragrance component. The natural scent of Benzyl Salicylate is described as "lightly-sweet, slightly balsamic".
While Benzyl Salicylate has been associated with contact dermatitis and allergies, emerging studies show it may not be caused by this ingredient alone.
However, this ingredient is often used with fragrances and other components that may cause allergies. It is still listed as a known allergen in the EU. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Another study from 2021 shows Benzyl Salicylate may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Learn more about Benzyl SalicylateCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin (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 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 ParfumPropylene 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 GlycolWater. 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