What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Glyceryl Dibehenate
Emollient
PEG-75 Stearate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tribehenin
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Ceteth-20
CleansingSteareth-20
CleansingTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Squalene
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Citronellol
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Eugenol
Perfuming
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Isoamyl Laurate, Betaine, Cetyl Alcohol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Squalane, Sodium PCA, Dimethiconol, Glyceryl Dibehenate, PEG-75 Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tribehenin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Triethyl Citrate, Parfum, Glyceryl Behenate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja Oil, Disodium EDTA, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Collagen Amino Acids, Tocopherol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Beta-Sitosterol, Phenoxyethanol, Gluconolactone, Squalene, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Copper Gluconate, Citronellol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Eugenol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Calcium Gluconate
Water
Skin ConditioningOctyldodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsifying
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Absorbent
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Triacetin
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Water, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Chlorphenesin, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium PCA, Urea, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cellulose Gum, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Trehalose, Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Triacetin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Titanium Dioxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.
Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.
This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.
A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.
Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateParfum 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 Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCATocopheryl 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
