What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantHydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientCetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientIsohexadecane
EmollientPEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantDiisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientVp/Va Copolymer
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysilicone-11
Cellulose
AbsorbentHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningRhamnose
HumectantEctoin
Skin ConditioningCassia Alata Leaf Extract
AstringentMaltodextrin
AbsorbentSorbitol
HumectantVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingParfum
MaskingWater, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Isohexadecane, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Vp/Va Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Polysilicone-11, Cellulose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Rhamnose, Ectoin, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Sorbitol, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingBetaine
HumectantOlus Oil
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveDimethicone
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientStearyl Alcohol
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate
EmulsifyingTridecyl Trimellitate
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialButylene Glycol
HumectantPhenylpropanol
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTridecyl Stearate
EmollientCarnosine
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientMelatonin
AntioxidantCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantDisodium EDTA
PEG-75 Stearate
PEG-8
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingCeteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantAscorbyl Palmitate
AntioxidantMagnesium Chloride
Helichrysum Italicum Extract
AntiseborrhoeicAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantCitric Acid
BufferingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Olus Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Octyldodecanol, Stearyl Alcohol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Tridecyl Stearate, Carnosine, Parfum, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Melatonin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, PEG-75 Stearate, PEG-8, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Lactate, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Magnesium Chloride, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, CI 15985, CI 19140
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 CrosspolymerCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeGlycerin (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 GlycerinPanthenol 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 ParfumPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. 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