What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantSaccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningAstrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Citrus Depressa Peel Extract
HumectantAlpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
Humectant
Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide
AbsorbentPsidium Guajava Leaf Extract
AstringentCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Lauryl Betaine
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Beta-Caryophyllene
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil
Perfuming
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Geranyl Acetate
Perfuming
Linalyl Acetate
Masking
Pinene
Masking
Terpineol
Masking
Turpentine
Perfuming
Terpinolene
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Juice, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Citrus Depressa Peel Extract, Alpinia Speciosa Leaf Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Aphanothece Sacrum Polysaccharide, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Cellulose Gum, Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Arginine, Lauryl Betaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Tocopherol, Silica, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Beta-Caryophyllene, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Geranyl Acetate, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Terpineol, Turpentine, Terpinolene, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Abrasive
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGeraniol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citral
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citronellol
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Gluconate, Parfum, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Geraniol, Sodium Benzoate, Citral, Potassium Sorbate, Citronellol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citral is the molecule responsible for the fresh lemon scent in lemon, lime, and lemongrass. It is a fragrance ingredient that can be created from plant essential oils or synthetically.
Though Citral has documented antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria (which is where the marketing claims about it being good for acne-prone skin originate), real formulas use it at fragrance-level concentrations under 1% so there's likely no skin benefit.
You should know this ingredient is a known EU fragrance allergen.
Animal studies classifies this ingredient as a weak-to-moderate skin sensitizer and clinical patch testing on eczema patients confirmed it to be both a contact allergen and irritant.
The term 'citral' is a collective term for two geometric isomers: geranial/Citral A and neral/Citral B.
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 CitralEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
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 LimoneneLinalool 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.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
