What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDimethicone
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantTriethylhexanoin
MaskingSqualane
EmollientHydrogenated Polyisobutene
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMethoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone
BufferingSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientStearic Acid
CleansingPalmitic Acid
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientParfum
MaskingHydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientArachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingLinalool
PerfumingPanax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientDextrin
AbsorbentTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Chloride
MaskingHoney
HumectantLimonene
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingRehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Flower Extract
AntioxidantPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningLilium Candidum Bulb Extract
Skin ConditioningPolygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract
Skin ConditioningMyristic Acid
CleansingArachidic Acid
CleansingGlucose
HumectantNelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyaspartate
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingAcetyl Heptapeptide-4
HumectantAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcetyl Octapeptide-3
HumectantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Triethylhexanoin, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Glyceryl Caprylate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Linalool, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Sodium Chloride, Honey, Limonene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Flower Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Polygonatum Odoratum Rhizome Extract, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Glucose, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Polyaspartate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Hydroxide, Acetyl Octapeptide-3
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropanediol
SolventBis-PEG-15 Methyl Ether Dimethicone
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDipropylene Glycol
HumectantRhus Semialata Extract
Skin ConditioningMyrtus Communis Extract
AstringentSaccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate
HumectantSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate
HumectantPolysilicone-11
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPolyacrylate-13
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingArginine
MaskingParfum
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Allantoin
Skin ConditioningCarnitine
CleansingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
HumectantCetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningPEG-14m
Emulsion StabilisingTheobroma Cacao Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPhloretin
AntioxidantThioctic Acid
AntioxidantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Bis-PEG-15 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat., 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Trehalose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipropylene Glycol, Rhus Semialata Extract, Myrtus Communis Extract, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Polysilicone-11, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyacrylate-13, Polysorbate 20, Arginine, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Carbomer, Polyisobutene, Allantoin, Carnitine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Sorbitol, Cetyl Phosphate, Adenosine, PEG-14m, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Phloretin, Thioctic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycolCaprylyl 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 GlycolDimethicone 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 GlycerinHydrogenated Lecithin is a more stable version of lecithin.
It's made by taking lecithin (a phospholipid commonly found in soybeans and egg yolks) and hydrogenating it. This just means the unsaturated fatty acids are turned into saturated ones so they don't go bad as easily.
This ingredient is an emollient, emulsifier, and penetration enhancer. As an emollient, it helps soften and hydrate skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin can form tiny spherical structures made of phospholipid bilayers called liposomes. These liposomes are able to capture compounds inside their structure and deliver them through the skin barrier.
Because phospholipids are a natural component of our cell membranes, this ingredient is inherently compatible with skin.
A 2021 study found lecithin-based surfactants were less harsh and more tolerable comared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinParfum 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 ParfumThis ingredient is extracted from the seeds of the cocoa tree.
Cacao seeds contain antioxidants known as polyphenols. These include flavonoids, procyanidins, and epicatechins.
Studies show these polyphenols help improve skin health.
The more famous ingredient from cocoa tree is cocoa butter.
Learn more about Theobroma Cacao ExtractWater. 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