What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantPEG-6
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantBetaine
HumectantPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate
EmulsifyingIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientMethylparaben
PreservativeDisodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingParfum
MaskingAlcohol
AntimicrobialErythritol
HumectantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cocoyl Glutamate
Citric Acid
BufferingLinalool
PerfumingSapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingMagnesium Chloride
Oenothera Biennis Oil
EmollientCalcium Chloride
AstringentSerine
MaskingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantZingiber Aromaticus Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantCitrus Junos Seed Extract
AntioxidantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Diglycerin, PEG-6, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Parfum, Alcohol, Erythritol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Potassium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Linalool, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citronellol, Geraniol, Magnesium Chloride, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Calcium Chloride, Serine, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Zingiber Aromaticus Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Citrus Junos Seed Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHamamelis Virginiana Water
AstringentUrea
BufferingYeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
HumectantChondrus Crispus Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
AbrasiveAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
MaskingSodium PCA
HumectantLecithin
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingCI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Sodium PCA, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Parfum, CI 15510, CI 14700
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Another name for betaine is trimethylglycine.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 GlycolCitronellol 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 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 GlycerinLinalool 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 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.
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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