What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasivePropanediol
SolventGluconolactone
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingUndecane
EmollientOrbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientTridecane
PerfumingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid
MaskingButylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSodium Stearoyl Lactylate
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
MaskingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
BufferingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Silica, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Undecane, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Tridecane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sarcosine, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingC10-18 Triglycerides
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientButyl Avocadate
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLauryl Glucoside
CleansingPolyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Chenopodium Quinoa Seed
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantOryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentArginine
MaskingCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingPentaerythrityl Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCitric Acid
BufferingLepidium Meyenii Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, Lactic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C10-18 Triglycerides, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyl Avocadate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Silica, Zinc Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Chenopodium Quinoa Seed, Maltodextrin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Oryza Sativa Starch, Arginine, Capryloyl Glycine, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Tocopherol, Parfum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AlcoholCitric 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 AcidThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Parfum 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 ParfumPolysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum