What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBetaine
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDimethicone
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol
AntimicrobialPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingErythritol
HumectantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAminopropyl Dimethicone
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
PerfumingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCitrus Unshiu Peel Extract
MaskingZingiber Aromaticus Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract
MaskingPyrola Incarnata Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Xylitol, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Erythritol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Caffeine, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Silica, Sodium Metaphosphate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citronellol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Geraniol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, CI 77491, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Zingiber Aromaticus Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Pyrola Incarnata Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveButylene Glycol
HumectantCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
MaskingPelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingAmyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingEugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
MaskingRosa Damascena Flower Oil
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
PerfumingZingiber Officinale Root Oil
MaskingMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
AstringentLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientEpilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningCastanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingSalicylic Acid
MaskingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin ConditioningGlucosamine Hcl
Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantTromethamine
BufferingSilica Silylate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeMica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Geraniol, Eugenol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sucrose, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Salicylic Acid, Caffeine, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Phospholipids, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Glucosamine Hcl, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tromethamine, Silica Silylate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491
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 and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Butylene 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 GlycolCaffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and is rich in antioxidants.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineCi 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.
Learn more about CI 77491Citronellol 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 CitronellolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolGlycerin 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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneLinalool 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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.
In cosmetics, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This is due to the flavonoid composition of Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract.
In Chinese traditional folk medicine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract is used to help treat lung issues and hypertension.
Learn more about Scutellaria Baicalensis Root ExtractSilica, 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 SilicaTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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