What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientCarnosine
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialMyristyl Myristate
EmollientHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Paraffinum Liquidum
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Stearate
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParaffin
PerfumingParfum
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingErythritol
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSilica
AbrasiveXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium EDTA
Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
Potassium Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Phosphate
AntioxidantSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Carnosine, Alcohol Denat., Myristyl Myristate, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Paraffinum Liquidum, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Wax, Polysorbate 60, PEG-40 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Paraffin, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Tristearate, Erythritol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium EDTA, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Potassium Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Phosphate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Glucosyl Hesperidin, CI 77891, Limonene, Linalool, CI 77492, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Citronellol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Aluminum Hydroxide, BHT
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialBetaine
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantIsohexadecane
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningAminopropyl Dimethicone
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCrataegus Monogyna Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
EmollientAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
EmollientNasturtium Officinale Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract
TonicGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantDimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Betaine, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Silica, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Nasturtium Officinale Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosa Roxburghii Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polysorbate 60, PEG-100 Stearate, Mica, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Tristearate, Sodium Citrate, Succinoglycan, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Potassium Hydroxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Tocopherol, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 77891, CI 77491
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideBehenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl AlcoholButylene 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 GlycolCi 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.
It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.
Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.
Learn more about CI 77891Citric 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 AcidWe don't have a description for Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer yet.
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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate Se is a self-emulsifying (SE) form of glyceryl stearate. Self-emusifying means this ingredient automatically blends with water. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and cleansing agent.
As an emulsifier, Glyceryl Stearate Se prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant, meaning it helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants help gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants so they may be rinsed away easily.
Emollients help your skin stay smooth and soft. It does so by creating a film on top of the skin that helps trap moisture in.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate SeMyristyl Myristate is created from the fatty acids of myristyl alcohol and myristic acid. In skincare, it is an emollient and texture enhancer.
On its own, this ingredient has a comedogenicity index of 5/5. This means it has the potential to clog pores. When diluted with cetyl alcohol or propylene glycol, the comedogenicity will decrease.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Nutmeg, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil all contain this ingredient naturally.
Learn more about Myristyl MyristateParfum 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 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWe don't have a description for Sodium Metaphosphate yet.
We don't have a description for Sorbitan Tristearate yet.
Stearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholWater. 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