What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSqualane
EmollientGossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCrocus Sativus Flower Extract
MaskingPolygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantPadina Pavonica Thallus Extract
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeGeraniol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingWater, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Glycerin, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Squalane, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Saccharide Isomerate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Polygonum Fagopyrum Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Geraniol, Citronellol
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantBrassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Skin ConditioningC13-15 Alkane
SolventParfum
MaskingCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCamellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningMoringa Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientHydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein
Skin ConditioningPolyquaternium-28
Dimethicone
EmollientCitric Acid
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPolyquaternium-47
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Ceteareth-33
CleansingPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbic Acid
PreservativePhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeTocopherol
AntioxidantLimonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingEugenol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Brassicamidopropyl Dimethylamine, C13-15 Alkane, Parfum, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein, Polyquaternium-28, Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-47, Disodium EDTA, Ceteareth-33, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Dimethiconol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine Soja Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Limonene, Citral, Eugenol, Linalool
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycolCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCitric 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 GlycerinGlycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilParfum 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.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideTocopherol (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