What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientMaltitol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingPyrus Malus Fruit Water
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether
Skin ConditioningLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Dextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantLimonene
PerfumingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingTriisostearin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Junos Seed Extract
AntioxidantTrimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate
EmollientCitrus Depressa Peel Extract
HumectantCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Oil
MaskingMethicone
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantTetradecene
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Maltitol, Dimethicone, Trehalose, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Pyrus Malus Fruit Water, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Lauroyl Lysine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Metaphosphate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Dextrin Palmitate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, CI 77492, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Triisostearin, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate, Citrus Depressa Peel Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Methicone, BHT, Tetradecene, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol
AntimicrobialPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientMaltitol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantEuphorbia Cerifera Wax
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether
StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingParfum
MaskingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantTalc
AbrasiveDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantDextrin Palmitate
EmulsifyingSodium Metaphosphate
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantDisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
MaskingSerine
MaskingButylphenyl Methylpropional
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCalcium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingCitronellol
PerfumingPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingGeraniol
PerfumingDaucus Carota Sativa Root Protoplasts
EmollientCitrus Junos Seed Extract
AntioxidantPEG-30 Phytosterol
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingTriisostearin
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientBHT
AntioxidantTrimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate
EmollientPlankton Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phosphate
BufferingTrisodium EDTA
Polysilicone-2
Tocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Maltitol, Dimethicone, Trehalose, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Carbomer, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Saccharide Isomerate, Talc, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Dextrin Palmitate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Serine, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Calcium Stearate, CI 77492, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citronellol, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Geraniol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Protoplasts, Citrus Junos Seed Extract, PEG-30 Phytosterol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Triisostearin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, BHT, Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate, Plankton Extract, Sodium Phosphate, Trisodium EDTA, Polysilicone-2, Tocopherol
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 CrosspolymerBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTButylene 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 GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerCI 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.
Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.
Synthetically created CI 77492 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 77492Citrus Junos Seed Extract comes from the Yuzu fruit.
Yuzu fruit seeds have been found to be anti-inflammatory.
Yuzu has many skin benefits. It contains antioxidants and a variety of Vitamins. The vitamins found in yuzu include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B5.
Learn more about Citrus Junos Seed ExtractDextrin Palmitate comes from the palmitic acid ester of Dextrin. It is used as an emulsifier and texture enhancer.
Emulsifiers help keep ingredients together. According to a manufacturer, dextrin palmitate helps create a low-viscosity gel texture.
Due to its fatty acid base, this ingredient is not fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Dextrin PalmitateDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolDisodium 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 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 LimoneneWe don't have a description for Maltitol yet.
This ingredient is a synthetic copolymer (a polymer made from more than one type of building block). It is used to stabilize formulas and control the viscosity.
Because it is a large, inert polymer, it doesn't have biological activities and stays on the surface of the skin.
Another name for this ingredient is polyoxyethylene decyltetradecyl ether/hexamethylene diisocyanate/polyethylene glycol 11000 copolymer.
Learn more about PEG-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 EtherPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate is an emollient that helps make your skin smooth and hydrated. It specializes in creating a non-oily and "wet" feeling on skin.
This ingredient comes from isostearic acid, a saturated fatty acid. It is a synthetic ingredient.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideWe don't have a description for Sodium Metaphosphate yet.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseTriisostearin isn't fungal acne safe.
We don't have a description for Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate yet.
Water. 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 WaterEuphorbia Cerifera wax comes from a shrub in Northern Mexico. It is used to stabilize formulations and has emollient properties.
Emollients form a thin layer on top of skin to prevent water from evaporating, keeping skin and lips hydrated.
According to a manufacturer, this wax can range from a yellow/brown color to translucent.
Learn more about Euphorbia Cerifera Wax