What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
HumectantTapioca Starch
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
AntimicrobialAcrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
AntioxidantPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSilica
AbrasiveCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic ColorantPolyisobutene
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Limonene
PerfumingCitral
PerfumingT-Butyl Alcohol
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingLeptospermum Petersonii Oil
MaskingTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Polyisobutene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Limonene, Citral, T-Butyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Leptospermum Petersonii Oil, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativePolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDiglycerin
HumectantTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientParfum
MaskingBenzyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingHydroxycitronellal
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingGeraniol
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCitronellol
PerfumingCinnamyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Diglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Cinnamyl Alcohol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
Since the Citronellol molecule is already unstable, Citronellol becomes irritating on the skin when exposed to air.
Citronellol is a modified terpene. Terpenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons found in plants. They make up the primary part of essential oils.
Citronellol is not able to be absorbed into deeper layers of the skin. It has low permeability,
Citronellol is also a natural insect repellent.
Learn more about CitronellolGlycerin (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 LimonenePhenoxyethanol 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.
Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.
It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.
The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.
Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).
True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.
Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Water. 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