What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeBetaine
HumectantCitrus Nobilis Fruit Extract
MaskingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantBeta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningFructooligosaccharides
HumectantParfum
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientPrunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingPotassium Lactate
BufferingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil
AntioxidantLinalool
PerfumingLactic Acid
BufferingLimonene
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingHibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Propanediol, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract, Sodium Metabisulfite, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Potassium Lactate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil, Linalool, Lactic Acid, Limonene, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningDihydroxyacetone
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
EmollientPunica Granatum Fruit Extract
AntioxidantRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantParfum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Metabisulfite
AntioxidantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeCitronellol
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Dihydroxyacetone, Alcohol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Geraniol, 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.
Citric 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 AcidCitronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolDihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is a simple sugar. It is frequently used in self-tanning products.
DHA binds to the amino acids in your dead skin cells to create a brown/orange color. Darkening begins to kick in a few hours after application and will continue to develop for up to 3 days. This ingredient can be drying.
Both the US and the EU have approved DHA in self-tanning products. In the EU, DHA is allowed at a maximum concentration of 10%. Most tanning products usually contain amounts between 3-5%.
If you are pregnant or have underlying medical conditions, it is best to speak with a dermatologist about using self-tanning products.
Learn more about DihydroxyacetoneEthylhexylglycerin (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 GlycerinLinalool 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 LinaloolParfum 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 metabisulfite is also known as Sodium Pyrosulfite. It is a preservative, antioxidant, and disinfectant.
As a preservative, it helps stabilize cosmetic formulas without affecting their color or scent.
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