What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecanol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPanthenol
Skin ConditioningDimethiconol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMica
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingTetrasodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Polyacrylate, Panthenol, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Mica, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Parfum, Dipropylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 77891, CI 17200, CI 19140
Water
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Adipate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEpimedium Grandiflorum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningEnantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeUbiquinone
AntioxidantHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
MaskingAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
MaskingCitric Acid
BufferingOleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Epimedium Grandiflorum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Ubiquinone, Hexylene Glycol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Oleanolic Acid
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 GlycolThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCocos Nucifera Oil is obtained from the kernels of the coconut fruit. In other words, this is coconut oil.
Coconut Oil is rich in fatty acids with lauric acid making up the majority of these. It also contains linoleic acid. Due to this high fatty acid content, coconut oil helps trap moisture and soften skin.
Despite being antibacterial, coconut oil may not be great for acne-prone skin. It is comedogenic and may clog pores. This ingredient may not be safe for malassezia or fungal acne.
Note: Coconut Oil should not replace your sunscreen for UV protection. Studies show it only blocks about 20% of UV.
This oil is non-volatile and has a light scent.
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 Cocos Nucifera OilGlycerin 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 GlycerinParfum 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.
Sodium 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 Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Water. 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