What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningCorylus Avellana Seed Oil
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
SurfactantDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCamelina Sativa Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantSaccharide Hydrolysate
HumectantAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentSalix Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAlbizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
MaskingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningEquisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentPyrus Malus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningKrameria Triandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningHexyldecanol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCeteareth-20
CleansingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBrassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
BufferingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingThymus Mastichina Flower Oil
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingWater, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Corylus Avellana Seed Oil, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isostearyl Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Adenosine, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Salix Alba Leaf Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Pyrus Malus Seed Extract, Krameria Triandra Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Hexyldecanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Thymus Mastichina Flower Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBoswellia Carterii Resin Extract
MaskingStyrax Benzoin Resin Extract
MaskingAlthaea Officinalis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Majus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCommiphora Abyssinica Resin Extract
Skin ConditioningAlchemilla Vulgaris Extract
AstringentOrthosiphon Stamineus Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Disodium EDTA
Citric Acid
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbic Acid
PreservativeGeraniol
PerfumingAmyl Cinnamal
PerfumingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Bambusa Arundinacea Stem Extract, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Boswellia Carterii Resin Extract, Styrax Benzoin Resin Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Commiphora Abyssinica Resin Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Orthosiphon Stamineus Extract, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Geraniol, Amyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also known as lady's mantle.
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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidDisodium 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 EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGeraniol 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 (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 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 LinaloolPanthenol 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 PanthenolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolSorbic Acid is a preservative that stops your product from spoiling by stopping microbes from growing.
As a preservative, it's kind of a specialist: it has a broad spectrum of activity against yeast and molds but is weaker against bacteria. That's why it's often paired with another preservative to cover that gap.
This ingredient is also pretty picky about pH; it performs best at pH 6.5 or below.
At the right pH level, sorbic acid is "active" and can slip through the outer wall of a microbe. Once inside, it turns the cell's interior more acidic to shut down the microbe from the inside.
The EU caps this ingredient at 0.6% while the CIR has concluded it's safe at concentrations up to 1%. It's most often used around 0.05-0.2% in cosmetics.
Though this ingredient is considered low-sensitizing and well-tolerated, a very small number of people may have a contact allergy to it. Be sure to patch test if you have a history of allergies towards preservatives.
Learn more about Sorbic AcidTocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
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.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum