What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberCetyl Alcohol
EmollientCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientGlycol Distearate
EmollientPropylene Glycol
HumectantSteareth-2
EmulsifyingSteareth-21
CleansingNiacinamide
SmoothingBenzophenone-3
UV AbsorberCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthoxydiglycol
HumectantSalicylic Acid
MaskingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Calcium Pantothenate
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycol Distearate, Propylene Glycol, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Niacinamide, Benzophenone-3, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethoxydiglycol, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Papain, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Calcium Pantothenate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Silica
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingLauric Acid
CleansingMyristic Acid
CleansingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycol Distearate
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantParfum
MaskingDisodium EDTA
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantInositol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningGuar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantKojic Acid
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSpiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningJasminum Officinale Flower Extract
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Glycol Distearate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-100 Stearate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Inositol, Panthenol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
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 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 EDTAGlycol Distearate is an emulsifier and emollient that adds a "pearly" appearance to formulations.
That lustrous look you see in many shampoos is due to this ingredient: when cooled, it crystallizes into small platelets that reflect light to give products that rich, shimmering look.
This ingredient is considered safe at present practices of use and concentration and repeated insult patch test with 50% Glycol Distearate on 125 subjects found no evidence of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, or acute toxicity.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.1-10%.
Because it's an ester of stearic acid, it falls into the range that Malassezia likes to metabolize. This ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolParfum 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.
Propylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolTocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water