What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Arachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Cannabidiol - Synthetically Produced
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Squalane, Behenyl Alcohol, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Octyldodecanol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Cannabidiol - Synthetically Produced, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract, Geraniol, Citric Acid, Limonene, Citronellol, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Silica
Abrasive
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Copaifera Officinalis Resin
MaskingArachidyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCarapa Guaianensis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingFusanus Spicatus Wood Oil
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Farnesol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Silica, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Jojoba Esters, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Behenyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Glycine, Polysorbate 20, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Bisabolol, Benzoic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Cellulose Gum, Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Farnesol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Linalool, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Arachidyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol made from the the arachidic acid found in peanut oil.
Despite having "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethanol.
This ingredient is a multitasker:
Just be sure to patch this ingredient if you have a peanut allergy (though this ingredient is highly processed and the allergenic proteins are typically removed).
Learn more about Arachidyl AlcoholThis ingredient is a plant-based surfactant and emulsifier. It helps oil and water based ingredients mix evenly to improve formula stability without adding a "greasy" feel.
Behenyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol (these are different from the drying, solvent alcohols).
Fatty Alcohols have hydrating properties and are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils; behenyl alcohol is derived from the fats of vegetable oils.
Emollients help keep your skin soft and hydrated by creating a film that traps moisture in.
In 2000, Behenyl Alcohol was approved by the US as medicine to reduce the duration of cold sores.
Learn more about Behenyl 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 AcidGlycerin (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 LinaloolPhenoxyethanol 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 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 HydroxideSodium Stearoyl Glutamate is an amino-acid based emulsifier. It is made by combining stearic acid with L-glutamic acid and neutralizing it to a sodium salt.
As an emulsifier, it works mainly as an oil-in-water one and helps keep the oil and water in your formulas blended. It also contributes to a smooth, non-greasy skin feel.
This ingredient is biodegradable and commonly available in natural/COSMOS-certified grades.
Learn more about Sodium Stearoyl GlutamateWater. 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 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
