What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
AntioxidantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantDimethicone
EmollientPolymethyl Methacrylate
Panthenol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingSqualane
EmollientBrassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer
Skin ConditioningCetyl Esters
EmollientAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientPanicum Miliaceum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
AbrasivePyridoxine Dipalmitate
Skin ConditioningStearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningRetinyl Palmitate
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantTocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate
AntioxidantAspergillus/Aspidosperma Quebracho Ferment
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Oil
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningCyclomethicone
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Lecithin
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingTromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingBeta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningWater, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Panthenol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Squalane, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Cetyl Esters, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Algae Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Allantoin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Pyridoxine Dipalmitate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Linoleate/Oleate, Aspergillus/Aspidosperma Quebracho Ferment, Zea Mays Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Polysilicone-11, Lecithin, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hydroxide, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Beta-Carotene
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientUrea
BufferingBis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientLinoleic Acid
CleansingLinolenic Acid
CleansingSodium PCA
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantSqualane
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningCeramide AP
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin ConditioningHexapeptide-9
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingSodium Lactate
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingBenzyl Salicylate
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Urea, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Hexapeptide-9, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Phytosphingosine, Ceteareth-20, Sodium Lactate, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Cetearyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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 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 âFRAGRANCEâ or âPARFUMâ 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 Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSqualane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Is squalane an oil?
Squalane is often called an oil, but itâs technically not; itâs a hydrocarbon, meaning itâs only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term âoil-freeâ isnât regulated, so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. Itâs worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
Learn more about SqualaneTocopheryl 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water