What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPPG-3 Dipivalate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientMyristyl Myristate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Silica
AbrasiveBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientPotassium Methoxysalicylate
BleachingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyvinyl Alcohol
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeIsohexadecane
EmollientParfum
MaskingPolysorbate 80
EmulsifyingSorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingTrisodium EDTA
Erythritol
HumectantPEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingSodium Citrate
BufferingSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialSorbitan Oleate
EmulsifyingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingTocopherol
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantAngelica Acutiloba Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAngelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
PerfumingLamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCellulose
AbsorbentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialInositol
HumectantCarthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantZiziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHydrolyzed Silk
HumectantBupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PPG-3 Dipivalate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Myristyl Myristate, PEG-100 Stearate, Silica, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Potassium Methoxysalicylate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Isohexadecane, Parfum, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Tristearate, Trisodium EDTA, Erythritol, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Sodium Citrate, Succinoglycan, Alcohol, Sorbitan Oleate, Caffeine, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Tocopherol, Linalool, Citronellol, Sodium Metabisulfite, CI 77492, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Lamium Album Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cellulose, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Inositol, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, CI 77491, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Bupleurum Falcatum Root Extract
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialBixa Orellana Seed Oil
EmollientAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantBentonite
AbsorbentBisabolol
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaffeine
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCarnitine Hcl
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingCopper PCA
HumectantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventDisodium EDTA
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantFarnesol
PerfumingParfum
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlutathione
Glycerin
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingHamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingMalic Acid
BufferingOctoxynol-9
EmulsifyingPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentasodium Pentetate
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningPhytic Acid
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Gluconate
Skin ProtectingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingRetinol
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentSodium Benzoate
MaskingSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-21
Skin ConditioningVitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentWater
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
HumectantAchillea Millefolium Extract, Alcohol Denat., Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Bentonite, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carnitine Hcl, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Copper PCA, Cyclodextrin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Disodium EDTA, Ethoxydiglycol, Farnesol, Parfum, Glutamic Acid, Glutathione, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Octoxynol-9, Pantothenic Acid, Pentasodium Pentetate, Phospholipids, Phytic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Potassium Citrate, Potassium Gluconate, Potassium Hydroxide, Retinol, Saccharide Isomerate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Soy Isoflavones, Tetrapeptide-21, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Water, Zinc PCA
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 CaffeineCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractCitric 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 AcidGlycerin 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 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 ParfumWater. 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