What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSd Alcohol 40-B
AstringentGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantNiacinamide
SmoothingCyclohexasiloxane
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningMyristyl Myristate
EmollientMethyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Hydrogenated Palm Oil
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Behenyl Alcohol
EmollientPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPEG-30 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBatyl Alcohol
EmollientAlcohol
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantErythritol
HumectantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantParfum
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Metaphosphate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantSapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantLinalool
PerfumingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Junos Seed Extract
AntioxidantHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantEucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
EmollientCurcuma Longa Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract
EmollientChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveWater, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Dimethicone, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Myristyl Myristate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, PEG-30 Phytosterol, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Batyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Erythritol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Caffeine, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metaphosphate, Tocopherol, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, CI 77492, Linalool, Sodium Metabisulfite, Limonene, Citronellol, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Geraniol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, CI 77491, Eucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Curcuma Longa Rhizome Extract, Saccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Silica
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%
UV AbsorberHomosalate 4%
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Salicylate 4%
UV AbsorberOctocrylene 2%
UV AbsorberWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Steareth-21
CleansingTrisiloxane
Skin ConditioningNylon-12
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract
Skin ProtectingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingRetinol
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Silica
AbrasiveAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 2%, Homosalate 4%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4%, Octocrylene 2%, Water, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Steareth-21, Trisiloxane, Nylon-12, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Silica, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerDimethicone 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 DimethiconeThis ingredient is a silicone elastomer that works as a texture enhancer, adds a silky slip, and also helps absorb excess oil.
Because it's a large macromolecule that's insoluble in water and chemically inert, it's not expected to penetrate or be absorbed into skin.
Human patch tests with a facial lotion containing 1% of this ingredient found no sensitization.
Learn more about Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerDisodium 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 GlycerinParfum 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.
Silica, 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 SilicaWater. 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